Vent, Valve & Volt
Half the house lost power

Act now

Emergency: smoke or burning at the panel or meter

Get out if you see smoke or flames and call 911. A burning smell at the panel or meter means stay away from it and call for help.

Why this happens

The Red Cross's rule for any fire is to get out, stay out and call 911. CPSC advises homeowners never to touch service equipment and to call the power company. NFPA estimates an annual average of 46,652 home electrical fires in 2020 to 2024.

Do this now

  1. If you see smoke or flames, get everyone out, stay out and call 911.
  2. Do not open a door that is warm to the touch.
  3. If there is a burning smell but no smoke, do not touch the panel or meter. Leave the area and call your utility's emergency line or 911 from outside.
  4. Call a licensed electrician once the scene is safe.

What to tell the licensed electrician

  • Where the smell, smoke or heat came from: panel, meter or a room.
  • Whether half the house lost power before or after you noticed it.
  • What the fire department or utility did.

Build the full list: what to tell the licensed electrician.

Start this troubleshooter over

References (every fact above comes from one of these pages)
  1. American Red Cross: If a fire starts
  2. CPSC Publication 518: home wiring (PDF)
  3. NFPA: Home Electrical Fires, May 2026 (PDF)
  4. NFPA: Home electrical fires report

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