Boarding up after a fire
In very serious situations we may have to force entry into a property. After the incident, boarding up any damaged doors and windows will help keep your property secure until it can be permanently repaired.
The responsibility for boarding up sits with the resident or landlord / Responsible Person. If you’re away from home at the time, the Police will secure the property.
How to find a boarding up service
If you need help boarding up your property, specialist emergency contractors can be found online. Search for ‘emergency boarding up services near me’, or a local locksmith may be able to help. They’ll want to know how many doors and windows need boarding up, and their rough size. Keep the receipts for this work in case you can claim it on your insurance.
If you live in social housing or rented accommodation contact your landlord or local housing department who can arrange this for you.
- Find your local council for contact details of their housing department, and out-of-hours emergency information.
Who pays for boarding up?
Payment is the responsibility of the owner or Responsible Person, and may be covered by insurance. We are not liable for these charges.
Notifying the Police
Let the local police know your property will be empty to reduce the risk of anti-social behaviour or vandalism.
Re-entering the property
If you need to re-enter the property for any reason it’s important to take precautions. You may be exposed to toxic chemicals, contaminated water, ash and soot, and sharp objects that could cause harm.
Wherever possible wear:
- Respiratory protection such as a P3 dust mask - to protect your lungs from gases and harmful particles in the air.
- Nitrile gloves
- A paper suit - to protect your clothing and skin from absorbing contaminants
See our page on cleaning and clearing up for more information.
Return to main ‘After we leave’ page