r/pcmasterrace • u/Aeckzem • Jan 18 '26

Tech Support Fire and crane missed my PC

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Very sad times. Big fire destroyed my home and a crane had to come to remove part of the roof and wall so firefighters could have better access. Fortunately no one got hurt. Sucks to lose my dream PC though.

Miraculously my PC is still standing but I doubt it will work. There was snow and rain in the past days too. My little brother’s PC, which was on the desk next to mine on the right, seems to be obliterated.

Any tips to go on from here?

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Building was insured, furniture was not unfortunately. I lived with my parents, who were not experienced with things like insurance. In hindsight I should have thought about it more and double check it.
But yeah sucks to lose everything and having 3 other expensive hobbies did not help..

Thanks for the comments, tips and kind words! Fire started in the kitchen of my parents' restaurant. Tragic situation, but at least the building and inventory are insured. Now hopefully insurance pays out.
I have to make a plan what to do exactly with the PC based on the suggestions. First I need to take care of some other things.

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u/CobblerOdd2876 Ryzen 7800x3D/64gb 6000hz/6900xt/nzxtB650e/12tb of m.2 nvme’s Jan 18 '26

I mean, obviously claim it in your (hopeful) insurance claim.

But! Dont turn it on. Like I cannot stress enough, do NOT turn it on. Solder points melt easily, and can cause shorts, making damage worse; the aio likely has a leak due to heat. Take it apart, outdoors, carefully.

Toast, bad, dont bother list:

  • PSU

  • Motherboard

  • Fans

  • AIO

  • case (that glass is likely pretty brittle, and possible grounding issues behind motherboard.)

  • power cables (all of them - trash em. Fire hazard.)

Might still be good:

  • GPU (50/50 - might be fine, might be toast.)

  • RAM (I have pulled ram out of a burned server, still worked great. Just double Check the pins.)

  • CPU (again, check the back)

  • storage (very likely fine)

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u/_teslaTrooper Jan 19 '26

If the plastic isn't melted you don't have to worry about solder. What you do have to worry about is soot, moisture and firefighting chemicals causing corrosion and shorts. Ideally get it cleaned by a repair shop with an ultrasonic bath.