What to do if arson happens
Get out, stay out, call 999.
- Don’t try to put the fire out yourself. Leave it to the fire service
- Don’t stop to look around or collect belongings
- Close doors behind you as you go, to slow the fire and smoke
- Don’t open a door that feels warm, because the fire may be on the other side
- If there’s smoke, keep low, where the air is clearer
- Call 999 as soon as you’re out and safe, and give your address
If someone who might have started it is still nearby, stay away from them and tell the police when you call 999.
Arson is when someone sets fire to property on purpose, or doesn’t care whether it catches fire. It can be a building, a vehicle or other property. Arson is a crime.
Arson can affect you in many ways. You may have lost you home or belongings. You may have are been hurt or injured. You may also feel less safe in your home, or where it happened.
However it’s affected you, it’s valid. We will believe you.
What to do after arson
What to do straight away
- Get medical help: If you’re hurt, or breathed in smoke, get checked by a medical professional. Call 999 in a medical or mental health emergency, visit your local accident and emergency department or call you local doctors surgery.
- Tell your insurance company: Contact your insurance company as soon as you can. If you are unable to stay at home, they will be able to advise you on if they pay for hotel costs.
- Find somewhere safe to stay: If you can’t stay at home and your insurance company won’t help, your local housing department may be able to arrange temporary emergency accommodation. If you rent, contact your landlord.
What to do afterwards
- Look for financial help: GOV.UK has a page on financial help after a fire.
- Talk to London Fire Brigade: You can call them on 020 8555 1200 to speak about a fire in your home, to make sure it’s safe to go back. Don’t go back into a building until the fire service says it’s safe.
- Keep a record: Take photos and make a list of what’s damaged or lost. Keep any reference numbers you’re given.
- Book a safety visit: When you’re ready, you can book a free home fire safety visit from London Fire Brigade.
Reporting arson
It’s your choice whether to report a crime. You can find out more about ways to report, here. The fire service may also look into how the fire started.
If someone is in danger, or a crime is happening now, call 999.
If you think a fire was started by a family member
If someone has been violent or controlling towards you, and set a fire or threatened to, this is domestic abuse. Domestic abuse is never your fault, and we can help you. You don’t need to be ready to leave, if you don’t want to.
If someone has targeted you because of your race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity, it may be a hate crime.
How we can help
Our Support Workers can talk with you about what’s happened and how it’s affecting you. We can help you think through your options, make a safety plan, and find other support, like help with housing or money.
Our support is free and confidential. You don’t need to have reported anything to the police. If you’d like to report it, we can support you.
Other organisations that can help
- London Fire Brigade
- your insurance company
- your local council’s housing department
- the British Red Cross Fire and Emergency Support Unit
The British Red Cross Fire and Emergency Support Unit offers free help after emergencies like fires.
My Support Space
My Support Space is a free and confidential online resource. It can help if you’re finding things hard after crime.
It includes guides, self-help tools, videos and activities. These can help you make sense of your experience and how you’re feeling. They can also help you move forward.
Learn more about how we can support you.
View our frequently asked questionsContact us
You can contact us in three ways. Contact us today for free and confidential support.
0808 168 9291
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