What To Do if the Neighboring Building Experiences a Fire

4/8/2022 (Permalink)

Fire damage in an apartment building in Magnolia, TX.

What to Do If a Fire Breaks Out at a Neighboring Building

It can be scary to experience a fire in your own building, but should you be worried if the neighboring building is on fire? It may depend on how close it is to you, but usually yes. In Magnolia, TX, it's better to be safe than sorry.

Evacuate

Even if the fire itself is in no danger of spreading to your commercial property, there are other damaging effects that can make their way over. Smoke and soot damage, heat and the effects of the fire suppression materials can all affect your space. You should consider evacuating the property to ensure the safety of your staff and equipment. It would be a good idea to focus on the following:

• people
  
• valuable electronics
  
• important documents
  
• delicate materials
  
  

Evaluate

Once the fire is over, if possible, you should check in with your neighbor. Then you can assess the damage to your own property. Can you see any discernible smoke damage? If not, it may still be there, but you may need to hire a professional to inspect for it. There may also be water damage if the fire hose got sprayed in your direction. If water is left to sit, it may eventually become a mold problem. Be sure to document everything you can.

Enquire

Once you've done a walk-through, a call to your insurance company is in order. Your policy will probably cover repairs if it already includes fire protection. To confirm your claim, an insurance adjuster may come out to assess the damage for themselves. They may also have recommendations for a qualified remediation company that specializes in smoke cleaning.

Unfortunately, the misfortune of others can also become your misfortune. Among other things, smoke damage can effect structures nearby that were never part of the original fire. If you ever find yourself in a situation like this, don't hesitate to take the proper steps to address it right away.