How to recover damages from a fire

First question - are you are renter?  Since you mentioned "apartment," I assume you are.  Second question - Did you have renter's insurance?  If not, you should always have renter's insurance.  It's relatively inexpensive as insurance goes. Third question - What caused the neighboring building to catch fire?  Knowing what caused the fire to begin with as well as what caused it to spread will be key to establishing who is responsible for your losses.  Fourth question - Which company insures the neighboring building that caught fire?  You should file a claim with that company. Fifth question - What are your losses?  Sixth question - Can you document your losses with a list or some photographs or both?  Insurance will require this in a fair amount of detail, if they pick up your claim. I have more questions about possible liability of your landlord, but contact me if you want to discuss further.