Dealing with Fire Emergencies

Fire damage to a residential garage

Here in Nevada County we live with the possibility of fire. It’s wonderful to have a rural lifestyle, and fire is one of the potential risks to this location. Besides wildfire danger, individual home fires are a leading cause of home damage throughout the US.

Some interesting numbers from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA):

  • In 2022, local fire departments responded to an estimated 1.5 million fires in the United States.  The property damage caused by these fires was estimated at $18 billion
  • More than one-third of the fires (522,500 — or 35 percent) occurred in or on structures. Most of the fire losses were caused by these fires, resulting in $15 billion of the direct property damage.
  • One of every five fires (19 percent) occurred in one- or two-family homes.
  • Neither structures nor vehicles were involved in half of the fires reported in 2022 (51 percent).

See source: https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/research/nfpa-research/fire-statistical-reports/fire-loss-in-the-united-states

 

Preventing Further Home Fire Complications and Delays

At Cecil Construction, we are often one of the first teams on site to help recover a home from fire damage.  Sometimes there is simply nothing that can be done but to begin cleaning-up, however often, there are some forms of simple preventative measures that make a big difference in how the restoration process proceeds, along with identifying the best rebuilding and repair process after a fire.

Having smoke alarms, making sure electrical circuits are not overloaded and using appropriate precautions when cooking are excellent forms of prevention. But did you know that closing doors can prevent a fire from spreading, and protects rooms behind these closed doors?

 

The Insurance Advantage

Getting out safely and contacting emergency services is essential. Reaching out to insurance is also a key first step. Having a local contractor trained in restoration and familiar with insurance adjusting practices, re-construction processes combined with the know-how and equipment prevents this difficult situation from becoming even more trying.

At Cecil Construction, we say almost every day “call us first!” and these are not idle words or a sales pitch—they come from years of arriving at homes requiring restoration that have been mishandled causing costly delays, insurance headaches and incomplete recovery processes. We know because we have been there, many times! While a homeowner might go through this trying circumstance once in a lifetime, Cecil Construction assists many homeowners each year.

Because Cecil Construction uses the same software as major insurance carriers, we often are a preferred contractor. Because we have been through the process many times, we can save property owners a great deal of time by identifying the full nature of the claim early, and putting it in the language insurers will accept.

Water removal after flooding damageMove Out, Cleaning, Recovery and Return of Household Furnishing and Possessions

Cecil Construction goes the extra mile and is a member of the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC). This combined with our Contractor’s license, means Cecil Restoration is able to perform or contract all work needed, this includes full fire damage assessment—with many unseen factors, such as wiring, and behind-the-walls hidden damage. Cecil Construction will help streamline the recovery process by managing smoke damage, fire damage, professional clean-up, and the systematic process of rebuilding.

We work hard to keep clear communication with homeowners, insurance carriers, local officials and in short, every step needed to get you back in your home.

Cecil Construction is unique in offering a move out, storage and cleaning service for a home’s entire contents. Along with this, Cecil Construction maintains its own special drying equipment to eliminate the water that is often a secondary effect of fire on contents.

 

Fire Season is Here, So Please Prepare

Please take a moment to get recommendations from Nevada County Fire Safe Council on what to do to prepare for potential fires: https://www.areyoufiresafe.com/ready

If you have a fire, please don’t hesitate and call Cecil Construction at 530-274-1516. 24/7 emergency service. Our job is helping our clients restore their homes and businesses.