New York, NY homeowner guide
Fire & Smoke Damage in New York, New York
After a New York residential fire, permission to clean is not the same as permission to occupy. Check for a DOB vacate order before arranging access. A restoration estimate cannot replace the City process for addressing dangerous conditions and lifting an order.
Prefer not to call? Send us a message
Homeowners can reach us here too about fire & smoke damage in New York. For immediate danger, call 911.
Local routing and responsibility
DOB directs property inquiries to the borough office where the building stands: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx or Staten Island. For a vacate order, contact the issuing unit or relevant Enforcement Inspections unit rather than an unrelated borough office.
Repair decision and documentation
Essential belongings may sometimes be retrieved, but access depends on building conditions and may require owner coordination with DOB. Contact your insurer promptly, obtain written cleanup estimates, and keep soot-contaminated belongings separate from items you intend to reuse.
Issues to assess in New York
- ✓Direct flame and heat damage
- ✓Smoke and soot contamination
- ✓Water used during firefighting
Do this right now
- ✓Stay outside until authorized to enter
- ✓Check the vacate order and contact the correct DOB unit
- ✓Obtain written estimates and insurer instructions
General safety
- ✓Do not re-enter until the fire department says it is safe.
- ✓Do not turn on utilities that were shut off by responders.
- ✓Wear a mask and gloves around soot, it can be harmful to breathe.
- ✓Discard food, medicine and cosmetics exposed to heat or smoke.
Separate access, cleanup and approval
Treat building access and cleanup as separate decisions after a fire. If DOB issued a vacate order, ask the issuing unit or borough Enforcement Inspections unit about entry and next steps; a restoration contractor cannot authorize occupancy. Contact the insurer, request written cleanup estimates, and keep soot-affected belongings apart from items intended for reuse.
NYC DOB: Vacate Order FAQs ↗Questions before agreeing to repairs
- Has DOB issued a vacate order, and which unit issued it?
- What access coordination is required before retrieving belongings?
- Can you provide separate written scopes for soot, fire and firefighting water?
Homeowners in New York: reach a local provider now
USA Home Aid is a free homeowner service that puts homeowners in touch with local service providers. All contractors are independent and we do not guarantee work or license status.
Fire & Smoke Damage in New York: FAQ
Can I collect medication from a vacated apartment?+
Possibly; contact the landlord because safe access may require coordination with DOB.
Who handles a DOB order question?+
The issuing unit or appropriate Enforcement Inspections unit in the property’s borough.
Official New York resources
Sources checked 2026-10-21. These are public-agency resources, not partners or endorsements. Current alerts, service instructions and restrictions can change.
Fire & Smoke Damage guide
Full fire & smoke damage emergency guide →Other New York cities
Related help in New York
- Water Damage in New York
- Mold Remediation in New York
- Sewage Cleanup in New York
- Roof & Storm Damage in New York
- Emergency Plumbing in New York
- Flood Cleanup guide
- Basement Waterproofing guide
- Biohazard & Trauma Cleanup guide
- Emergency HVAC guide
- Water Heater Repair guide
- Emergency Electrician guide
- Tree Removal guide
- Tarping & Board-Up guide
Fire & Smoke Damage in New York? Call 24/7.
1-800-XXX-XXXX