I typically look forward to hearing from someone that was burned out. I want to help these folks out and insurance work tends to be even more profitable. These calls are random as you can't plan on when someone becomes a victim. This time of year, when you might have to wait to fill a vacancy a couple of months up in the areas very prone to winter weather, its nice to get a call to fill a place.

So I got such a call this morning. Normally I would be excited to help. This particular lead was a fire victim twice in a single day however. The second fire is being called suspicious and the cause of the first fire is unknown.

I was less than excited to learn that this person lived at this house. Now as luck had it, I also got an app from a couple the evening before and they are qualified. I am really hoping that they take it. If they don't take it it places me in an awkward position

I try to keep track of the fires in my town, because there's a good chance they'll be referred to me, and I want to have an idea about their culpability.

Sometimes, it's something they had little control over--- like squirrels getting in the attic chewing through the wiring.

Sometimes, it's something that may or may not be their fault-- like having a non-electrician run your wiring to save costs. Then the question becomes, "Whose house was it? Who made that decision?" etc.

Other times, it's something directly related to their carelessness--- like disposing of cigarettes improperly, knocking over a candle because their electricity has been shut off, etc.

It's also interesting, because sometimes you run into information that doesn't quite match what's being applied for. Like, for example, there was a certain house fire in town. Two of the high school kids were talking about how their friend used to live there, and she lost her band instrument in the fire. However, when the dad and mom were applying for a little 1/1 garage apartment-- there was no mention of any children. So while it's plausible that the family had been split up amongst relatives during this difficult time of recovery, it was equally plausible that they were hiding additional occupants because they were desperate for a place, and didn't want to get turned down due to too many people. So you're able to work certain things into the conversation and see how they respond, and gauge it against what you already know.