Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration

After a fire, once the fire department says it is safe, call 786-919-0159. A live person answers 24/7 and sends a crew anywhere in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach.

A fire leaves three kinds of damage behind: the fire itself, smoke and soot that spread far beyond the flames, and water from firefighting. That water soaks walls, floors and belongings just like any other water damage, and in South Florida’s humidity it can lead to mold quickly. Restoration deals with all three.

What Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration Includes

• Board-up and securing: covering broken windows and roof openings.
• Water removal and drying: extracting firefighting water and drying the structure.
• Soot removal: cleaning walls, ceilings, cabinets and surfaces.
• Smoke odor treatment: removing odor from the structure and contents.
• Removal of damaged materials: charred drywall, insulation and flooring.
• Contents cleaning: salvaging belongings where possible.
• Repairs: rebuilding once cleaning and drying are complete.

Why Water Damage Matters After a Fire

Firefighters use a lot of water. It soaks into drywall, insulation, subfloors and cabinets, often in rooms the fire never reached. Left alone, that water leads to warped floors, damaged drywall and mold within days. Getting it out and drying the home is one of the first steps of fire restoration, alongside securing the property. See water mitigation and drying.

What to Do After a Fire

1. Do not re-enter until the fire department says it is safe.
2. Contact your insurance company right away.
3. Take photos and video of everything before cleanup.
4. Do not try to wipe soot off walls or furniture; it can smear and set stains.
5. Do not turn on HVAC systems that may spread soot.
6. Call 786-919-0159 to secure the property and start water removal and cleanup.

Fire Damage and Insurance

Homeowners and commercial property policies generally cover fire and smoke damage, including the water used to put out the fire, and often additional living expenses while your home is uninhabitable. Document everything, keep receipts for emergency expenses and ask for the crew’s photos and records for your adjuster.

Types of Smoke Damage

Different fires leave different residue. Fast, hot fires leave dry, powdery soot. Slow, smoldering fires leave sticky, smeary residue with strong odor. Kitchen fires leave a greasy film that can be hard to see but holds odor. Each needs a different cleaning approach, which is why wiping soot yourself often makes it worse.

Rooms the Fire Never Touched

Smoke travels through the whole house, through HVAC ducts, gaps around doors and open spaces. Rooms far from the fire can have soot on walls and ceilings and smoke odor in carpets, upholstery and clothing. Restoration includes cleaning these areas too, along with the HVAC system, so odor does not keep coming back.

Securing the Property

After a fire, broken windows, damaged doors and holes in the roof leave a home open to rain, wind and theft. Boarding up openings and tarping the roof protects the property while cleanup and drying begin, and is often required by insurance policies as a reasonable step to prevent further damage.

Contents Cleaning and Pack-Out

Belongings affected by smoke, soot and water can often be cleaned and restored. When the home needs extensive work, contents may be packed out, inventoried and cleaned off-site, then returned after repairs. An inventory with photos also supports the contents portion of your insurance claim.

Smoke Odor Removal

Smoke odor lingers because smoke particles settle into porous materials and HVAC systems. Removing it takes thorough cleaning of surfaces, contents and ducts, removal of materials that cannot be cleaned, and odor treatment. Covering odor with fragrance does not work; it comes back on humid South Florida days.

Kitchen Fires

Kitchen fires are the most common household fires. Even a small stovetop fire can coat cabinets, walls and ceilings throughout the kitchen and nearby rooms with a greasy film, and the water or extinguisher used to put it out adds more cleanup. Professional cleaning removes residue and odor before cabinets and finishes are repaired or replaced.

Water Damage From Sprinklers

In buildings with fire sprinklers, the water from the system can cause as much damage as the fire. Sprinkler water soaks ceilings, walls, floors and contents in the activated area and can travel to floors below. Extraction and drying start as soon as the fire department releases the building.

The Restoration Process Step by Step

• Assessment: the crew inspects fire, smoke and water damage throughout the property.
• Securing: board-up and roof tarping to prevent more damage.
• Water removal and drying: extraction and drying of firefighting water.
• Removal: charred and unsalvageable materials are removed.
• Cleaning: soot removal from surfaces, contents and HVAC.
• Odor treatment: deodorizing the structure and contents.
• Repairs: rebuilding walls, floors and finishes.

Electrical Fires and Appliance Fires

Electrical and appliance fires, such as dryer fires and fires from overheated devices, often start in walls, laundry rooms or garages. Even small ones can spread smoke through the home. Before power is restored, a licensed electrician should inspect the affected circuits. Restoration then cleans soot from surrounding areas and treats smoke odor that can linger in walls and HVAC systems.

Fire Damage in Condos and Businesses

In condo buildings, smoke and firefighting water often affect several units and common areas, even when the fire stayed in one unit. Each unit should be inspected and documented separately. For businesses, crews can secure the property, start cleanup and work in phases so parts of the space reopen as soon as possible, with documentation for commercial insurance.

Where to Stay During Restoration

Depending on the damage, your home may not be livable during cleanup and repairs. Many homeowners policies include additional living expenses for a hotel or rental while your home is restored. Keep receipts for lodging, meals above normal costs and other expenses. Smoke and soot can irritate lungs, so people with asthma or other conditions should stay out of the home until cleaning is complete.

Preventing Future Fires

• Test smoke alarms monthly and replace batteries yearly.
• Clean dryer lint traps after every load and dryer vents yearly.
• Never leave cooking unattended.
• Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and know how to use it.
• Have electrical problems such as flickering lights or warm outlets checked by a licensed electrician.

Water and Mold After a Fire

Water from firefighting does not stay where the fire was. It runs through floors, soaks into walls and ceilings and can reach rooms below. In South Florida’s humidity, that water can lead to mold within days, especially if power is off and the air conditioning is not running. Fast water removal and drying protect the parts of your home the fire never touched.

Related Services

• Water Mitigation and Drying: drying firefighting water
• Water Damage Repair: rebuilding after cleanup
• Mold Remediation: if moisture leads to mold
• Commercial Water Damage: fire and water at businesses

Where We Provide Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration

Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration is available 24/7 across all three South Florida counties, in every city, town and neighborhood:

• Miami-Dade County: Miami, Hialeah, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Doral, Kendall, Homestead and more
• Broward County: Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs, Pompano Beach and more
• Palm Beach County: West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Jupiter, Wellington and more

See every community on our South Florida service areas page.

Fire and Smoke Damage Questions