How to help someone after a house fire: Five easy ways

Firefighter walking out of a house
| 8 min read Crowdfunding

According to the Canadian Red Cross, there are about 24,000 house fires in Canada each year, and 2 out of 3 Canadians say they are not prepared for a disaster. Furthermore, the most common causes of house fires are cooking and heating equipment—things that almost everyone has in their homes. If a house fire strikes your friends or family, it can not only damage or destroy their property but also leave them feeling powerless and vulnerable. It can also leave you wondering how you can help after a house fire. The importance of community response after an event like this is not to be underestimated. When friends, family, and neighbors rally around the victims, it can raise their spirits and make getting through a difficult situation just a little bit easier.

Crowdfunding raises both funds and people’s spirits

Along with raising the funds needed for recovery, a crowdfunding fundraiser also creates a venue for friends and family to post words of encouragement and support, which can be just as valuable. Simple comments like “I’m thinking of you” or “I’m sorry for your loss” can go a long way and remind the victim that they don’t have to go through this alone. 

If you’re thinking about running a crowdfunding fundraiser for the victim of a house fire, you’ve come to the right place. People use our free crowdfunding platform to raise money in similar circumstances every day. In fact, on GoFundMe Canada, thousands of fire victims have been able to rebuild their lives with community support.

Start a fire relief on GoFundMe

5 easy ways you can help people recovering from a house fire

1. Send love and take action

The first step to take in supporting a family affected by a house fire is to let them know you’re there for them and will support them in whatever way you can through this crisis. A house fire leaves people shocked and unsure about what to do next. 

Asking what you can do to help may be more than they can deal with. It’s likely more helpful to make your own assessment of the situation and assign yourself a task, such as bringing them basic necessities or helping them find temporary housing. Don’t wait for them to impose on you—take action. This can look like cooking them a batch of meals, offering to babysit, or help with other basic necessities. Think about what house fire victims need most immediately: usually shelter and logistical support, as well as basic necessities like food, water, and clothing. 

Keep in mind that they’re in a vulnerable emotional state. They may not be ready to talk about the fire immediately and that’s okay—respect their wishes and follow their lead. If they need professional help to process the event, the Canadian Red Cross offers trauma support resources. 

2. Send money

In a house fire, people sometimes lose everything—all the material possessions they’ve accumulated over a lifetime. There’s little chance they could simply replace it all, but even replacing the basics will require a huge lump sum. Sending money in any amount is a simple way to help after a house fire. Ask them how they prefer to receive money, whether it’s e-transfer, cash, or cheque, and respect their answer. You may also ask if they have a specific need, such as putting the money toward temporary housing, groceries, or replacing clothes. 

If you have the means, offer whatever financial support you can to keep them afloat while they wait for a cheque from their insurance company. Insurance payouts could take weeks, so even small amounts of financial support can help bridge the gap. 

3. Bring a meal or buy groceries

It may be some time before they have refrigeration or a working kitchen. Depending on the situation, ask neighbours and others in your community to bring meals or non-perishable groceries.

In the first week after a fire, focus on non-perishable foods and ready-to-eat meals. After some time, they may have temporary kitchen access, so you can consider moving to batch meals they can heat up. 

You can also contact local food banks or community centres to see if they offer bulk meal support for house fire victims.

4. Organize a clothing drive

The clothing needs to fit the people in need. Ask them for specific sizes, including their children’s ages and adult clothing sizes, and pass this information along to potential donors to avoid waste. Avoid donating damaged or stained clothes—gently used or even new clothing will be most appreciated.

5. Launch a fundraiser

You can pair any of the four ideas above with a fundraiser. Remember, the victims of the fire are overwhelmed already. Take the burden off their shoulders and start a fundraiser for them, encouraging others to donate and to share the page with their own social networks. Optionally, you could also reach out to a local news organization to cover the story.

If you are starting a fundraiser for someone else, always ask their permission before you launch it on their behalf.  Be sure to include clear photos of the family and the damage to their home. Tell a compelling story, and be specific about what donations will go toward, whether it’s temporary housing, replacing items, or rebuilding the home. 

Once you’ve launched, update your donors regularly on the family’s recovery progress and how their funds are being used. 

What NOT to do when helping fire victims

While all helpers’ intentions are good, there are some common mistakes people make when trying to support fire victims that can actually be harmful. We’ve covered the “do’s” when it comes to how to help house fire victims; now let’s explore some “don’ts”:

  • Don’t create clutter and waste by donating items without asking what’s needed. This just puts an extra burden of getting rid of unneeded items on the victim.
  • Don’t violate their privacy by taking and posting photos of the damage or the family themselves without asking permission first. 
  • Don’t offer unsolicited advice about insurance or rebuilding. This is where a professional should step in. 
  • Don’t invalidate their pain or minimize their grief with comments like “you can rebuild” or “it’s just stuff, you can replace it”.
  • Don’t overwhelm them with too many questions or even too many visitors. They need some space to rest and process.
  • Don’t forget about them after the first few weeks or months. Recovery from a house fire can take months or years depending on the scale. 

Canadian government and charity resources for fire victims

You can also help fire victims by finding other resources that can provide assistance after house fires as part of their disaster recovery plan. There are several government organizations that help after a house fire, as well as charities and community resources. 

If the victims need help from the federal government, they can look into the following programs:

There are also several provincial emergency assistance programs, but they vary by province. For more information on assistance programs in your area, visit the Public Safety Canada website. You can also look for provincial insurance ombudsman contacts to help with insurance claims. 

When government assistance isn’t an option, you can also turn to the following charity organizations: 

Finally, there are several community resources you can reach out to for help:

  • Local fire departments often offer victim services.
  • Municipal emergency services are typically available 24/7.
  • Community foundation grants can be applied for.
  • Faith-based organization networks may be able to help with donation collections.

Start a fire relief fundraiser

Whether you’re donating money, organizing a meal calendar, or launching a fundraiser, your support matters. House fire victims need both immediate help and long-term encouragement. Start by taking one action today with GoFundMe Canada.

Ready to start a fire relief fundraiser for friends or family? 

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Written by Ved Khan