The short answer
Why Fire Makes Food Unsafe
Fire produces smoke, soot, and chemical residues that can seep into food through tiny gaps in packaging. Even unopened boxes, plastic wraps, and containers with screw lids may not be airtight. The heat itself can also cook or spoil food inside a refrigerator or freezer if the power went out.
Toxic fumes from burned materials, like plastics or treated wood, can cling to surfaces. Eating contaminated food can cause nausea, stomach pain, or more serious health problems. The safest rule is simple: if there is any doubt, do not eat it. Your health matters more than saving a few items.
What You Can Safely Keep
Food in undamaged, commercially sealed cans or glass jars can often be kept, but only if the container shows no signs of heat, soot, or cracks. Wash the outside of each can or jar with soap and water before opening. Labels may be removed, so mark the contents with a marker to avoid confusion.
Food stored in a refrigerator or freezer that stayed closed during the fire may be safe if the power stayed on. Check the temperature: if the freezer stayed below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, items may be fine. If you are unsure, a food thermometer can help, but when in doubt, discard.
- Sealed metal cans with no dents, rust, or swelling
- Glass jars with intact seals and no cracks
- Foods in a freezer that stayed below 40 degrees Fahrenheit
- Dry goods in airtight, undamaged metal or glass containers
Items to Throw Away Right Now
Anything with a porous or soft packaging should go in the trash. This includes cardboard boxes, paper bags, plastic wrap, and foil. Food stored in the refrigerator or freezer that was exposed to heat, smoke, or a power outage longer than four hours should also be discarded, including meat, dairy, and leftovers.
Do not taste food to check if it is safe. You cannot see or smell all contaminants. Also, throw away any food that was near the fire itself, even if it looks untouched. The heat can cause chemical changes that make it unsafe, and soot can settle on surfaces you cannot easily clean.
- Cardboard boxes and paper packaging
- Plastic wrap, bags, and containers with lids
- Perishable items after a power outage over four hours
- Any food with visible soot, char, or melted packaging
- Food stored in a pantry that was near the fire
- Home-canned goods or jars with broken seals
How to Clean Your Kitchen
Before you consider keeping any food, your kitchen needs a thorough cleaning. Wipe down all surfaces, shelves, and drawers with a mild detergent and warm water. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to remove soot from walls and ceilings, then wash them with a sponge and cleaning solution. Wear gloves and a mask to avoid inhaling particles.
Pay special attention to areas where food is stored, like pantries and cabinets. Remove all items and clean the interior completely. If you live in Mesa, you can reach out to local water damage pros for help with cleaning after fire damage, since soot can be stubborn and hard to remove without the right equipment.
When to Call for Help
If the fire affected a large area, or if soot and smoke damage is extensive, you may need professional assistance. Local water damage pros can handle cleaning of walls, floors, and surfaces, which helps reduce health risks. They have the tools to clean thoroughly and can advise on what can be salvaged.
Your insurance company may cover the cost of cleaning and replacing food, but that depends on your policy. Policies vary, and your insurer decides what is covered. Check your policy documents and contact your insurance company for guidance. If you feel unwell after exposure to smoke, see a doctor.
- If soot covers large areas of your home
- If you have health concerns from smoke exposure
- If you need help cleaning hard-to-reach places
- If you are unsure about what is safe to keep
Talk to someone now
Water keeps spreading into floors and walls, so it is worth acting early. Calls are answered 24/7.
Call Now (480) 898-4279Frequently asked questions
Can I eat food from a sealed can if the label is burned?
A sealed can with a burned label may still be safe if the can itself is intact, with no dents, rust, or swelling. Wash the outside with soap and water, then mark the contents with a marker. If you see any damage, throw it away.
What about food in my refrigerator after a fire?
If the power stayed on and the fridge kept food below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, some items may be safe. However, smoke can seep in through seals. When in doubt, discard perishables like meat, dairy, and leftovers. Check the temperature with a thermometer.
Should I throw away all food in my pantry?
Most pantry items are not safe because packaging is porous. Cardboard, plastic, and paper can absorb smoke. Only keep items in undamaged glass or metal containers that you can wash. If you have any doubt, it is safer to throw it away.