If you’ve had a house fire in Caldwell, stay out until the Caldwell Fire & Rescue says it is safe, then call your insurer. Call (855) 727-0147 and we’ll connect you with an independent restoration company that serves Caldwell to secure the property and start the cleanup.
What to do in the first 24 hours in Caldwell
- Wait for the all-clear. Don’t go back inside until the Caldwell Fire & Rescue says it is safe (USFA). Call 911 in an emergency; the department’s office number is 979-567-3271, ext. 600.
- Call your insurer and write down the claim number. Photograph and film every room before anything is moved (TDI claim tips).
- Leave utilities off. If firefighters shut off power, gas or water, don’t turn them back on yourself. The City of Caldwell provides electric service inside city limits: office (979) 567-3271, after-hours utility emergencies 979-567-4343.
- Smell gas? Leave first. Atmos Energy serves Caldwell (Railroad Commission of Texas). From a safe place, call 911 and Atmos at 866-322-8667.
- Secure the property. Have broken windows, doors and roof openings boarded up or tarped, and keep the receipt.
- Ask for the fire report. Your insurer may want the incident report number. Ask the fire department, or contact Caldwell City Hall at (979) 567-3271.
- Find a place to stay. The American Red Cross helps after home fires at 1-800-733-2767. Ask your insurer about additional living expenses (TDI).
- Throw out exposed food. Food exposed to flames or fumes should be discarded, even in cans or the fridge (USDA).
Local numbers to keep handy in Caldwell
| Who | Why you might call | Number |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency | Fire, injury or gas leak | 911 |
| Caldwell Fire & Rescue | Re-entry questions, fire report | 979-567-3271, ext. 600 |
| Atmos Energy (gas emergencies) | Gas smell, gas service after damage | 866-322-8667 |
| City of Caldwell Utility Department | Water, wastewater and electric service | (979) 567-3271; after hours 979-567-4343 |
| City of Caldwell permits | Permits and inspections for repairs | permits@caldwelltx.gov |
| American Red Cross | Emergency help after a home fire | 1-800-733-2767 |
| Texas Department of Insurance | Help with an insurance claim | 800-252-3439 |
What fire damage restoration involves
A fire restoration job usually moves through these stages. Several can overlap.
| Stage | What happens | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|
| Board-up and tarp | Openings are covered to keep out rain and intruders. | Usually the first visit |
| Inspection and scope | Damage is photographed and a written scope prepared. | First visit, written scope after |
| Water extraction and drying | Firefighting water is removed and the structure dried with moisture readings logged. | Several days in most homes |
| Soot cleaning | Residue is removed with methods matched to the residue type and surface. | Days to weeks |
| Odor removal | The source is cleaned, then deodorized. Some treatments need the house empty. | One or more rounds |
| Contents pack-out | Belongings are inventoried and moved out for cleaning or storage. | Alongside structural work |
| Rebuild | Drywall, insulation, flooring, framing or roofing is replaced, with permits where required. | After the insurer approves the scope |
What it typically costs
No two fire jobs cost the same. The written estimate depends mainly on:
- How many rooms the fire, smoke and soot reached.
- How much water firefighters used and how long it sat.
- Whether residue is dry soot or greasy kitchen or fuel residue.
- The volume of belongings to pack out, clean or store.
- Structural work such as framing, roofing or wiring, and the permits it needs.
Ask for an itemized estimate before work starts. If anyone suggests an ozone treatment, the house must be empty: the EPA warns ozone can damage the lungs (EPA).
How does insurance work for fire damage restoration in Texas?
Your adjuster decides what your policy covers. The restoration company documents the damage and writes the estimate the adjuster reviews. It can’t negotiate your claim for you.
- Timelines: insurers have 15 business days to acknowledge a claim, then 15 business days to accept or deny it after receiving what they need. They can take 45 more days if they explain why (TDI).
- What to photograph: every affected room, the source of the damage and damaged belongings, before cleanup.
- What the restorer documents: photos, moisture readings or residue notes, a written scope and an itemized estimate.
- Deductible: you pay it. Texas law bars contractors from offering to waive, rebate or absorb it. A contractor also can’t act as your public adjuster (TDI: know the law).
- Living expenses: if covered damage makes the home unlivable, additional living expenses coverage may pay for a hotel and meals (TDI).
Problems with a claim? Call the Texas Department of Insurance help line at 800-252-3439 or file a complaint.
What’s specific to Caldwell?
- A volunteer fire department. Caldwell Fire & Rescue, renamed from the Caldwell Volunteer Fire Department in 2025, is a volunteer department at 204 N. Main St. It serves the city and surrounding areas under an agreement with the city (City of Caldwell).
- The city runs electric, water and wastewater. The City of Caldwell provides electric, water, wastewater and solid waste services inside city limits. Call (979) 567-3271, or 979-567-4343 after hours (City of Caldwell).
- Gas is Atmos Energy. Atmos Energy’s Mid-Tex Division serves Caldwell (Railroad Commission of Texas). If you smell gas, leave, then call 911 and Atmos at 866-322-8667.
- Permits before work starts. Caldwell requires building permits before construction begins, and the permit must stay posted at the site. Building and trade inspections are scheduled through the city’s Cloud Permit system (City of Caldwell).
- County emergency management. Burleson County’s Emergency Management Coordinator is based at 100 W. Buck St. in Caldwell and answers at (979) 567-2001 (Burleson County).
How getting help works
When you call or send the form, we connect you with an independent restoration company that serves your area. They inspect, document the damage and give you a written scope — you decide whether to hire them.
Questions to ask the company that comes out
- Which IICRC certifications does the lead technician hold (for example WRT, FSRT, OCT or AMRT)?
- Do you carry general liability and workers’ comp insurance, and can I see the certificate?
- Will I get a written scope of work before anything starts?
- Who will talk with my insurance adjuster, and what will you send them?
- If mold is involved: what is your TDLR mold remediation license number, and who did the independent mold assessment?
Frequently asked questions
Once the Caldwell Fire & Rescue releases the property and it is safe to enter. Board-up and tarping usually come first, then drying and cleaning.
Your insurer may ask for the incident report number. Ask the fire department how to get a copy.
Caldwell requires building permits before construction starts. Email permits@caldwelltx.gov or call City Hall at (979) 567-3271 to confirm.
Light, dry soot can be vacuumed with the nozzle held above the surface. Leave washing walls, ceilings and anything greasy to professionals.
If the damage is covered, additional living expenses coverage may pay reasonable extra costs. Check your limit and keep every receipt.
Related help nearby
- Fire, smoke and water damage help in Caldwell
- Water damage restoration in Caldwell
- Burleson County
- Fire damage restoration in Navasota
- Fire damage restoration: the full guide
- What to do after a house fire in Texas
Get connected with a local restoration company
Free. No obligation. Prefer to talk? Call (855) 727-0147.