AFTER THE FIRE

Listed above are a series of links, we hope this information will assist you in your recovery, and help reduce your losses after a fire.

Below, we have provided some answers to the most commonly asked questions we have been asked after a fire has occurred.

We saw firefighters breaking windows and cutting holes, why was this done? Fire and it's byproducts ( heat, smoke and gasses ) rise and move upward and when blocked move outward. Firefighters remove windows, screens and cut holes in roofs to help remove these byproducts. This operation is called ventilation. Ventilation not only helps stop the outward movement of smoke and heat, it also helps the firefighters locate possible victims, find and fight the fire more efficiently and allow for faster extinguishment. Ventilation improves the environment in which the firefighter has to work in and thereby reduces the risk to the firefighter.
After the fire was extinguished we noticed that the firefighters put a lot of holes in the ceiling and walls. Was this really necessary? As stated in the earlier answer, fire moves upward and out. Fire can move into walls, ceilings and partitions that look like they are blocked off. Firefighters "open up" these areas, that were close to the fire, to check for extension of the fire into these hidden spots.
We had a fire at our house, will the Fire Department be sending us a bill for using their services? No, the Durham Highway Fire Department is supported by taxes collected in a special fire district set up by Wake County. Money from this district helps pay for the operation of the department.