What to do if Your House Catches on Fire in Philadelphia?
Let’s talk about something serious today. House fires in Philadelphia? Unfortunately, they are not that uncommon. House fires can occur anywhere, and how you respond to that situation matters.
In certain situations, if a homeowner’s house catches on fire in Philadelphia, they may sell their property as-is. We recently purchased a burnt-down house as-is and flipped it. The seller of this property had insurance, so he didn’t face a significant financial loss. But here’s a snippet from our conversation:
Alex: I’m sorry this happened to you. Thank god, nobody was hurt.
Seller: Thank you. Yes, it is unfortunate. I am grateful nobody was inside the house. I’m also grateful for the insurance.
Alex: Is there something you could have done better?
Seller: I am glad the neighbors followed the best and safest approach and called the emergency services.
When the seller mentioned best practices, I decided to share them with you all.
Before Anything Happens
My wife says that “preparations always come in handy.” Here’s what you could do:
- Install smoke alarms on the property and test them regularly. Philadelphia offers free smoke alarm installation.
- Fire extinguishers (tested and up-to-date) should be readily available.
- Rehearse escape routes. I don’t want to alarm you guys, but preparations are essential.
What To Do At the Time of the Fire?
God forbid if your house in Philadelphia is on fire, there isn’t much you can do. But certain IMMEDIATE ACTIONS must be deployed.
Get Out
The top priority is to get out safely. Leave all belongings behind; there’s nothing more important than life.
Call Emergency Services
Find a safe place to call 911. You need to let them know your address and current location so they can dispatch services accordingly.
What if Smoke is Present?
Smoke rises, so try to keep your head below the smoke line. If possible, cover your nose and mouth.
Stay Outside
Once you are out of the fire, remain outside.
After the Fire
How you respond to the aftermath of the fire in your home impacts your family and any future insurance claims.
Find a Safe Place to Stay
This is when family and friends come forward. If that option is not possible, check into a hotel temporarily and contact the local relief agencies for next steps.
File an Insurance Claim
You should immediately report the loss and ask about the coverage. Take photos of the damage and document everything. Trust me, this will come in handy with the insurance company.
You may also check with the city if they are on the Fire Insurance Escrow List. Act 93 of 1994 amended the original law that was adopted in 1992.
Cleanup
This is where you will be tested again. But you should stay strong and work on the task at hand.
- Don’t enter until the property receives clearance from the fire marshal.
- Watch for any structural damage.
- Be careful when inside the property.
Philadelphia-based Resources for House Fire
Here are some useful resources if your house catches fire in Philadelphia:
- 911
- Philly311 for the fire department.
- Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management.
Final Note
Be prepared, act smart, and be safe. That’s all the advice from us. And let’s pray that you never have to deal with this situation in Philadelphia or anywhere else.
