Fire in the building: what to do, step by step
Smoke, flames. Below: what to do right away, what next, when to call 112 and what to avoid. The same instructions are in the free SurvivalZone app and work without internet.
First, right now
- Alert everyone at home and get out immediately. Don't take belongings.
- Call 112 once you are safely outside.
- If the stairwell is full of smoke, stay in your flat: close the door, seal it with wet towels, go to a window and signal to firefighters.
Then
- In smoke, stay low, near the floor. That is where the air is cleanest.
- Before opening a door, touch it with the back of your hand. Hot? Don't open it.
- Close doors behind you. They slow down fire and smoke.
When to call 112
Always, if there is a fire.
What not to do
- Don't use the lift.
- Don't put water on burning oil or live electrical equipment.
- Don't go back into the building.
Keep it on your phone
SurvivalZone is a free app for every emergency, with no account and no app store. It works without internet and shows the nearest shelters and help points, local radio, a 72-hour plan and a mountain trip planner.
Other scenarios
- ⚡ Power cut
- 🥶 Cold, no heating
- 🚱 No water or unsafe tap water
- 🌊 Flood, water coming in
- 🎒 Evacuation in 10 minutes
- 🌡️ Heatwave
- 🌪️ Storm, strong wind
- 🚀 Air attack: missiles, drones, bombs
- 📢 Sirens, alarm, air contamination
- 📵 No signal, no internet
- ❤️ Someone is unconscious
- 🌍 Earthquake
- ⛵ Storm at sea, no internet
- 🚗 Road accident
- ☠️ Carbon monoxide or gas leak
- ❄️ Stuck in a car in a snowstorm
- 🌩️ Thunderstorm outdoors
- 🫀 Heart attack or stroke
- 🏊 Someone is drowning
- 🌲 Forest or grass fire
- 💳 Cards and cash machines not working
- 🦠 Epidemic, dangerous infectious disease
- 🧒 A child is missing
Sources
- Polish State Fire Service
- BBK guide "Vorsorgen für Krisen und Katastrophen" (Germany)
- ERC first aid and resuscitation guidelines (European Resuscitation Council)
Official sources are checked automatically every day. Last check: 2026-10-18.
General guidance only; it does not replace the emergency services. If a life is in danger, call 112.