Information for Recovering From a Fire

The Seattle Fire Department provides this information as part of our continued commitment to your safety. The information contained in these pages will assist you in your household's recovery and restoring property damaged by fire.

Gregory M. Dean
Seattle Fire Chief

Introduction

Why are there holes in the roof?

Why are the windows and doors broken?

Fires produce temperatures of over 1,200 degrees, along with smoke and hot toxic gases. At times, it is necessary to reduce the heat, smoke and hot gases before firefighters can enter a building to put a fire and rescue any occupants.

Venting the smoke and gases must be done quickly to speed the rescue effort, as well as to prevent additional fire spread. Cutting holes in the roof helps with this task.

Often, walls must be forcibly opened to find "hidden" fires. The fire is not out until every "hot spot" is found.

After the fire is out, damage from fighting the fire may appear unnecessary. However, without the use of these fire fighting and rescue techniques, lives could be lost and the building could suffer total destruction by fire.

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