If you’ve had a house fire in College Station, stay out until the College Station Fire Department says it is safe, then call your insurer. Call (855) 727-0147 and we’ll connect you with an independent restoration company that serves College Station to secure the property and start the cleanup.
What to do in the first 24 hours in College Station
- Wait for the all-clear. Don’t go back inside until the College Station Fire Department says it is safe (USFA). The department’s non-emergency number is 979-764-3700 (the non-emergency line).
- 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. Call College Station Utilities at 855-528-4278 about the electric service.
- Smell gas? Leave first. Atmos Energy is the natural gas utility in College Station (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 how to get a copy, or request it through the City of College Station Public Records Center.
- Find a place to stay. The American Red Cross helps after home fires at 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767). If you have insurance, ask about additional living expenses coverage (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 College Station
| Who | Why you might call | Number |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency | Fire, injury or gas leak | 911 |
| College Station Fire Department (non-emergency) | Re-entry questions, fire report | 979-764-3700 |
| College Station Utilities | Power outage or reconnection questions | 855-528-4278 |
| Atmos Energy (gas emergencies) | Gas smell, gas service after damage | 866-322-8667 |
| College Station Planning & Development Services | Permits and inspections for repairs | 979-764-3570 |
| 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.
- Finishes like plaster, hardwood or custom cabinets.
Ask for an itemized estimate before work starts. Your adjuster will compare it with the insurer’s own.
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 College Station?
- Permits for rebuild work. College Station lists additions and remodels, roofing, foundation work and water heaters among residential work that needs a permit. Repairing gas piping needs a plumbing permit. Call College Station Planning & Development Services at 979-764-3570.
- Your electric provider. College Station Utilities handles electric service in College Station: outages 855-528-4278, customer service 979-764-3535 (utility website). Have an electrician or the restoration company confirm wiring is safe before power comes back on.
- Most homes are rentals. Only 35.4% of College Station’s occupied homes are owner-occupied (U.S. Census Bureau, 2020–2024 estimate), so landlords and tenants often deal with the same damage. Single-family and small multiplex rentals must be registered with the city (City of College Station).
- Getting the fire report. The College Station Fire Department’s Fire Marshal oversees fire investigations. City records can also be requested through the City of College Station Public Records Center.
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 College Station Fire Department 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.
Usually, for structural, roofing, electrical, plumbing or major remodel work. Call College Station Planning & Development Services at 979-764-3570 to confirm.
Light, dry soot can be vacuumed with the nozzle held above the surface. Leave washing walls, ceilings and anything greasy to professionals, because wiping can smear residue into surfaces.
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 College Station
- Smoke Damage Restoration in College Station
- Water Damage Restoration in College Station
- Flood Damage Cleanup in College Station
- Mold Remediation in College Station
- Fire Damage Restoration in Bryan
- Fire Damage Restoration: the full guide
Get connected with a local restoration company
Free. No obligation. Prefer to talk? Call (855) 727-0147.