Water leftover from firefighting activities should be removed by professionals. SERVPRO technicians are specially trained in both fire and water damage restoration, using specialized equipment, tools and products. Our experts can properly remove the water and dry the home so that no further damage is caused by the standing water, like mold.

 Most likely, yes. Smoke and soot residues from a small fire, or even from a neighboring fire, can cause extensive damage to walls, ceilings and contents in a home. This residue will need to be professionally removed or damage and odor can worsen over time.

The U.S. Fire Administration reports that cooking, followed by heating, are the top two leading causes of home fires. You can help prevent fire damage by:

• Installing smoke alarms on every level of your home and outside bedrooms.
• Staying in the kitchen when cooking, or by the grill when grilling.
• Turning oven burners off and making sure the stove area is clear of other materials.
• Keeping anything that can burn at least three feet away from fireplaces, heaters, etc.
• Unplug or turn heaters off when you’re not in the room.
• Have heating systems and chimneys inspected regularly.

 According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average cost for a structure fire was $25,545 in 2019. The cost to fix a fire damaged property varies greatly and depends on the severity of fire and its effect on surfaces and materials, the size of the structure, and amount of contents affected. SERVPRO uses the most widely accepted industry-standard pricing for services provided.

Not all fires result in the same level of damage. The extent of fire damage varies greatly depending on a number of factors, including:

• The source of the fire.
• How hot the fire got, and the amount of smoke created.
• How long the fire raged before intervention or firefighters stopped it.
• The amount of water or substance needed to extinguish the fire.

The severity of the fire situation greatly impacts the extent of damage. This can range from minor smoke and soot contained to just a portion of the home, to extensive structural damage that must be rebuilt. Once your home or business is deemed safe for entry, SERVPRO technicians will inspect and assess the level of damage to help determine the plan of action. We will categorize your fire damage upon inspection into one of three categories.

• Minor Fire Damage – Light to moderate smoke and soot was contained to just a portion of the building. Restoration needs include dry or wet cleaning and deodorization to walls, ceiling, floor and personal property, with little or no repainting. Very few items need replaced.
• Medium Fire Damage – Moderate smoke and soot requiring more aggressive cleaning and deodorization techniques to remove residue. More areas need repainting. Heat has caused more extensive damage to surfaces and materials which may require more items to need repair or replacement.
• Major Fire Damage – Severe fire damage to contents, finished surfaces and even structural framing. Smoke has infiltrated the majority of the building, and emergency intervention like board-up of windows and doors, or roof tarping, is required right away. Personal property items will likely need to be moved out of the structure for cleaning off-site. All remaining surfaces will be cleaned and deodorized in preparation for painting and repairs.

This fire was caused by an unattended pot on the stove which ended up having the entire apartment go up in flames. Thankfully no one was home at the time of this disaster. SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura was called by the property manager to come and clean out the entire apartment of all debris and furniture. After three days of work the property manager was very pleased with the out turnout. We make disasters "Like it never even happened."

After the fire trucks leave, your home likely suffers from fire and smoke damage and extensive water damage from firefighting efforts. SERVPRO^® has the specialized fire restoration training needed to restore your home to pre-fire condition.

Every fire damage event is a little different, and requires a unique solution, but the general process stays the same. The steps listed below illustrate our process for the “typical” fire damage emergency.

Step 1: Emergency Contact

The restoration process begins when you give us a call. Our specialist will ask a series of questions regarding the fire damage event that will help us arrive quickly with the appropriate equipment and resources.

Step 2: Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment

We will carefully inspect and test adjoining rooms of your property to determine the extent of the fire, smoke, and soot damage. This step is crucial to developing a plan of action.

Step 3: Immediate Board-Up and Roof-Tarp Service

Fire damage can often compromise windows, walls, and roofs. To maintain security and to protect against further damage, SERVPRO can board up missing windows and walls and place tarps on damaged roofs.

Step 4: Water Removal and Drying (if water damage is present)

The water removal process begins almost immediately and removes the majority of the water. We will then use dehumidifiers and air movers to remove the remaining water and complete the drying process.

Step 5: Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces

SERVPRO uses specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces.

Step 6: Cleaning and Sanitizing

We will clean all of the restorable items and structures that were damaged by the fire. We use a variety of cleaning techniques to restore your belongings to pre-fire condition. We’re also trained to remove odors using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.

Step 7: Restoration

Restoration is the final step—getting your home or business to its pre-fire condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet; or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.

A stove fire affected an entire townhouse, which required to be packed out to be able to restore the structure to its previous conditions. SERVPRO of North Miami packed the contents, and stored them in an air conditioned facility for 3 months. 

An immediate board up was necessary for this Aventura business to keep trespassers from entering the vicinity. SERVPRO® closed off all windows, doors, and other openings in a matter of days.

This stove caught on fire really quick the home had to turn the fire off as quick as possible before it spread beyond their control. We were called after the fire department arrived to clean and help restore the affected area. We have an ongoing relationship with this center and they are very happy with how we helped the situation to make it look like no fire affected the kitchen. 

When the tenant left the unit for work left an electronic cigaret charging that after a few hours caught on fire burning the bed and spreading to the walls. SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale and Aventura was called to help remove the burned items and remove the walls to begin the cleaning process. 

This fire was caused by an unattended pot on the stove which ended up having the entire apartment go up in flames. Thankfully no one was home at the time of this disaster. SERVPRO of Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura was called by the property manager to come and clean out the entire apartment of all debris and furniture. After three days of work the property manager was very pleased with the out turnout. We make disasters "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO of North Miami was called in to take care of Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces of this servicing facility consisting of a full 8000 square feet of unobtrusive floor space. This facility is responsible for sales in: South Florida, The Caribbean, and South America SERVPRO use specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces.