6 Types of Fire Damage That Can Occur in Your Home

Fire damage is something that happens to hundreds of thousands of Americans every year. This can be anywhere from smoke damage to more hazardous and destructive fire damage. Fire damage costs hundreds of millions of dollars, with 58.4% of fire damage claims coming from homeowners. 

United Water Restoration Group would like to go over the 6 types of fire that occur in homes across America. As the olding saying goes, the best offense is the best defense and understanding these types of fires and fire damage can help. We would like to provide you with a better understanding of these types of fire damage and how you could prevent them.

Fire Type #1: Grease Fires

The kitchen is one of the most common places for fire damage due to the nature of heat used in the room. Grease fires are common and pose a unique threat that many may not know about. Placing water on a grease fire has the opposite effect many expect, it actually fuels the flame. This type of fire damage can occur in a flash and can result in devastating damage if not handled properly. 

Preventing grease fires is as simple as being mindful of what you have cooking with oil on your stove. If you have a grease fire, do not throw water on it as it will only fuel the flame. If this occurs, you will want to turn the source of heat off and smother the flame.

Luckily, if the flame is small enough to contain inside the pot, throw the lid over it. Otherwise, to prevent further fire damage, you may have to sacrifice a blanket or thick towel to help smother the flames. A chemical fire extinguisher can be another solution to stopping grease fires. Baking soda also may be able to calm the fire, as long as you have enough. Grease fires are typically classified as class K fires. 

To learn more about United Water Restoration Group’s fire damage restoration process, we encourage you to visit our blog regarding this matter!

Fire Type #2: Electrical Fire

Electrical fire is another very common source of fire damage for homeowners all across the United States. The most common form of this fire damage comes from faulty wires. Either plugged into a socket or hidden behind the walls of a home. Electric fires can occur when too many items are plugged into a socket or if the wires begin shorting. Regardless, electrical fires have a similar smell of burning plastic or styrofoam. 

If you smell an electrical fire, it is best to turn off your power from the breaker. This will give you time to locate the source and figure out what needs to be done to prevent further fire damage. Baking soda is another great way to smother the flame. It is recommended to avoid using water as it can cause further damage to the socket. 

To prevent this type of fire be aware of overloading outlets and sockets. If an outlet is running with all plugs utilized and is pumping constant power, this is when an electrical fire may occur. Spread the wires out to different sockets/outlets or unplug unnecessary items that aren’t in use. Electrical fire damage is classified as a Class C fire. 

Fire Type #3: Candle Fires

Though candles provide lovely scents and set an atmosphere, they are also capable of great fire damage. If a candle is left unattended, it can cause a fire that will shatter the glass holding the wax in and spread. Most candle brands also have flammable waxes that can exasperate the flame. 

When putting out a candle fire, it is recommended you do not use water. Water can cause the wax to spread and help fuel the flame with that. The best method of putting out a candle is to use a candle snuffer or place the lid over the glass. If the fire has broken out, a chemical fire extinguisher can help as well as sand, baking soda, or flour. These types of fires are typically classified as class B fires.

Fire Type #4: Space Heater Fires

Space heaters are a very popular winter item for those staying up North. These devices are small, affordable, and can fit nearly anywhere. Leaving them on for long amounts of time may result in a fire. This can be caused by the heater itself overheating or from it causing too much heat on a flammable surface, like clothing or a blanket. This type of fire is typically classified as a class A fire.

Class A fires occur to wood, fabric, or plastic and are typically the easiest fires to put out. These fires can be put out by using water or a fire extinguisher. If the space heater itself catches fire, you may want to try to turn off the heater and smother the flame to prevent water damage. 

Fire Type #5: Smoking-Related Fires

Smoking-related flames are another common type of fire damage in America. These types of fires can occur when an ashtray becomes overloaded and a sparked ember catches onto something. It can happen if you leave an item lit and unattended. Luckily, these fires are also rather easy to put out and can be done with water or an extinguisher. 

The best way to avoid this type of fire is to simply be sure you put out your lit smoking materials and clean your ashtray out frequently. 

Fire Type #6: Curious Children

Though it seems a little odd, one of the biggest causes of fire damage is a curious child or children at play. On average, every week there are over 400 fires set by children, totaling out to over 20,000 any given year. More than half of these fires are set by children in preschool and kindergartners, they usually boys. Fire is a very curious and intriguing object to the youth. Be sure to explain the importance of fire safety and educate them on fire damage. Luckily most of these fires are simple and easy to put out as they usually play with fire in hidden places, like their rooms. 

Fire damage can leave you out a home or worse. It is important to always be prepared and educated on fire damage and how to put out or contain a flame. If your home or business has suffered from fire damage, United Water Restoration Group can help you with the remediation. United Water Restoration Group is a company that focuses on fire, water, mold, and flood damage.

Certified United Water Restoration Group technicians are able to handle the job, from start to finish, from small renovations to major reconstruction. You can contact a certified technician on United Water Restoration Group’s 24-hour hotline at (800) 430-5838.

To discover the closest United Water Restoration Group office near you, navigate to our database and input your zip code! We provide services in Ormond Beach, Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, Daytona Beach, Florida, Orlando, Florida, Tampa, Florida, Melbourne, Florida, and many other locations around Florida!