Quick answer
After a house fire in Detroit, request the fire report from the Detroit Fire Department's Fire Marshal Division with ID and proof of residency, contact the American Red Cross or Michigan 2-1-1 for emergency help, call DTE Energy before gas or power is restored, get repair permits through the city's buildings department, and take insurance questions to the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services.
Getting the fire report
Your insurer will usually ask for the fire report. In Detroit, fire reports are handled by the Detroit Fire Department's Fire Marshal Division, which takes requests through the city's online customer service form. Requests have to verify identity, so have a valid ID and proof of residency such as a lease or utility bill ready.
Reports are not always available right away, especially when the cause is still being investigated. Give your insurer the date, address and any incident details the firefighters gave you, and send the report when it arrives.
Emergency help and housing
The American Red Cross responds to home fires with immediate help such as emergency lodging, food, clothing and replacement of essential items, and can connect families with further support. Michigan 2-1-1 (dial 211) connects callers with local help for housing, food and other needs.
If you have homeowners or renters insurance, ask about additional living expenses on the first call. Many policies pay for a hotel or rental and extra costs while you cannot live at home.
While you make these calls, we can secure the house and start the cleanup. Call any hour.
Call (313) 391-5430Utilities: gas, power and water
The fire department may shut off gas and electricity, or the utility may disconnect service for safety. DTE Energy handles gas and electric service in Detroit and much of the region; it will not restore service until the house is safe and, where wiring or gas lines were damaged, repairs are made and inspected.
If the house will be without heat in winter, have the plumbing drained or temporary heat set up so pipes do not freeze. Water service questions in Detroit go to the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department.
Repair permits and inspections
Structural, electrical, plumbing and mechanical repairs after a fire usually need permits. In Detroit, permits and inspections run through the city's Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department. Suburban cities and townships have their own building departments.
Your contractor normally pulls the permits, but it helps to know they are needed: insurers, lenders and, in cities that use Michigan's Fire Insurance Withholding program, the city itself may want to see repairs permitted before releasing money.
Insurance questions and complaints
If you have a question about how your claim is being handled or a complaint about an insurer, the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) regulates insurers in the state and accepts consumer questions and complaints. DIFS also publishes information on the Fire Insurance Withholding program and its current dollar limits.
Before filing a complaint, put your questions to the adjuster in writing and keep copies of everything you send and receive.
Questions about Detroit fire recovery help
Through the Detroit Fire Department's Fire Marshal Division, with ID and proof of residency.
The American Red Cross, Michigan 2-1-1, and your insurer if your policy covers living expenses.
Once the house is safe and any damaged wiring or gas lines are repaired and inspected.
Usually, for structural and system repairs. Your contractor normally pulls them.
The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services takes consumer complaints.
In participating cities, yes. See filing a fire insurance claim in Michigan.
