After a fire in your home, you may want to get back inside to see if you can save any of your personal belongings. How much you can save depends on a variety of factors.
Central Florida Restoration Solutions explains that the damage from the flames is not the only concern when salvaging items from a home after a fire.
Water and smoke
The fire itself is destructive enough, but smoke and water damage will also be significant. Smoke can get into areas of the home that were far away from the fire point. Water produces not only moisture but this type of damage also includes the damage from the high pressure. When firefighters spray down a fire to put it out, that water pressure is intense. It can blow things around and spread water far beyond the point of the fire. Water and smoke damage could result in the loss of items that were spared by the actual flames.
Potential saves
Your best bet to save anything will be in areas of the home that were the furthest away from the point of the burn. In addition, items that cannot absorb smells or water will likely be in the best shape. Anything with fabric, such as furniture, clothing and stuffed animals, is usually a loss in a fire because they will absorb both water and smoke. Getting them clean may be impossible, but you will usually be able to take them and at least try to salvage them.
It can be difficult to give up all your belongings after a fire, but in some cases, you will not be able to save certain things. However, in most cases, you should be able to salvage at least a few things from your home.