If you have experienced a fire on your property, you are not alone. According to the National Fire Protection Association, there were an estimated 1.35 million fires in the United States in 2021.
Not only are these fires costly in terms of injuries and loss of life, but they can also cause billions of dollars in property damage. You may not realize that fire is not the only destructive agent, and there are other types of property damage that can occur as a result.
1. Fire damage
The extent of the damage to your property from the fire itself depends on its intensity. A fire that starts because of a gas leak or electrical short circuit is likely to be more intense. Therefore, you can expect the damage to be more severe.
2. Heat damage
Heat from the fire can damage your possessions even if they did not come into direct contact with the flames. It can cause your possessions to melt or warp.
3. Smoke damage
Smoke from a fire can deposit black soot on walls and surfaces around your property. The soot can permanently stain whatever surface it lands on.
4. Water damage
It may sound strange that you can have water damage from a fire. The damage comes from the water used to extinguish the fire. Any time there is excess water on your property, it can undermine the structural integrity of wood and drywall as well as promote mold growth.
Water may be necessary to extinguish the fire on your property, but it can still contribute to the resulting damage.