If there is an active fire, call 911 first. This page is for what comes after: once the fire is out and the fire department says the home is safe to enter.
Even a small kitchen or dryer fire can spread soot through the HVAC system and leave smoke odor in carpet, cabinets, and clothing. Larger fires add a second problem: water. Hoses and sprinklers can soak floors, walls, and the basement below, and that water needs the same fast drying as any other water damage.
What fire restoration usually covers
- Boarding up broken windows or tarping a damaged roof
- Removing water left by firefighting and drying the structure
- Soot cleanup on walls, ceilings, cabinets, and contents
- Odor treatment, which may include air scrubbers or other deodorizing methods
- Cleaning or replacing HVAC filters and, when needed, duct cleaning
- Inventory and pack-out of belongings for cleaning
Wildfire smoke on the Front Range
Colorado has seen how quickly fire can reach suburbs. The Marshall Fire in Boulder County in December 2021 destroyed more than a thousand homes. Even homes that are not touched by flames can pick up smoke odor and fine ash during regional wildfires. If smoke got inside your home, a restoration provider can assess cleaning and odor treatment.
Do’s and don’ts after a fire
- Do wait for the fire department to say the home is safe.
- Do photograph damage before cleaning anything.
- Do contact your insurer early; fire losses usually involve an adjuster.
- Don’t wipe soot off walls with a wet rag; it can smear and set the stain.
- Don’t run the HVAC system until filters and ducts are checked.
- Don’t eat food or use medicine that was exposed to heat, smoke, or soot.
Get a referral
Call {{PHONE}}. Tell us what burned, how much of the home has smoke or soot, and whether water was used to put it out. We will try to connect you with an independent fire restoration provider. Lingering moisture after a fire can also lead to mold, so ask about drying too.
Quick answers
Can smoke odor be removed?
Often, yes, but it usually takes more than air fresheners. Providers clean soot from surfaces and use deodorizing equipment. Some heavily affected materials need to be replaced.
Why is there water damage after a fire?
Firefighting water and sprinkler systems can soak a home. That water needs to be extracted and dried quickly like any other water loss.