After a kitchen fire caused by the common mistake of leaving a pan with hot oil unattended, the homeowners promptly contacted SERVPRO® of North Miami for fire and soot remediation and clean-up. Given that the tenants remained in the residence during the process, SERVPRO® acted swiftly to ensure their safety. Without hesitation, the skilled SERVPRO® crew began the project, starting with the removal of affected cabinets and drywall. Thorough cleaning and sanitization of the structure followed, along with necessary repairs. Once the newly installed drywall had dried completely, the entire kitchen was repainted, restoring it to its pre-fire condition. SERVPRO® of North Miami demonstrated their efficiency and commitment to delivering a comprehensive restoration solution.

 Depending on the severity of the fire and how your home is configured, it may be possible to stay in your home. If smoke and soot damage is contained to one portion of the building only, this sometimes allows for occupants to remain. However, many times this is not the case, as smoke generally creeps all throughout the structure. Your insurance agent can explain what hotel/off-site provisions your policy allows, which may be more comfortable for you during this process.

 Experiencing a fire to your home or business can be traumatic and stressful, and knowing what to do after a fire can seem overwhelming. First, contact a local disaster relief agency and your insurance company for immediate assistance, especially if you’ve been displaced. Try to locate any necessary documents you’ll need, like a driver’s license and other records, but don’t enter the structure unless the fire department has deemed it safe for you to do so, first.

There are five different services involved when a home or business is damaged by fire. Our technicians are specially trained to handle this complex process that aims to get you back in your property as soon as possible.

1. Mitigation – We’ll secure your property to prevent further damage. Any openings to the home will be boarded up, bulk debris removed, and corrosion mitigation begun in order to increase the likelihood of restoration of sensitive surfaces. If water damage from firefighting efforts has occurred, we’ll work to remove water and begin the drying process.
2. Structural Cleaning and Damaged Material Removal – Non-salvageable surfaces and materials will be carefully removed and disposed. Smoke residues will be removed from salvageable walls, ceilings, and structural components of the property.
3. Contents Cleaning – Your personal property will receive expert focus, with cleaning taking place right there or off-site, depending on the situation.
4. Specialty Restoration Services – If there is anything that requires special attention (electronics, art, furniture refinishing), we’ll ensure a specialist is tasked to complete the work.
5. Reconstruction – Sometimes, we have to build back areas that were too damaged to restore.

Surprisingly, many items subjected to heat, smoke, and soot can be cleaned and restored to their original state. SERVPRO team members are specially trained in methods that effectively remove extensive smoke and soot residues. Depending on the severity, we may move some items off-site to ensure a thorough cleaning and restoration in our state-of-the-art facilities. SERVPRO also staffs and maintains close relationships with industry experts who specialize in electronics restoration, dry cleaning of delicate fabrics, furniture repair and refinishing, artwork, and document restoration. However, know that some items burned by direct flame may not be salvageable.

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.

After any fire damage situation, your primary focus should be safety:

• Is it safe to stay in the house?
• Electrical and "slip and fall" hazards are some of the most prevalent concerns.
• Only do activities that are safe for you to perform.
• Wet materials can be VERY heavy. Be careful!

What To Do After A Fire

• Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets.
• Keep hands clean so as not to further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork.
• Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas.
• If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator and prop doors open.
• Clean and protect chrome with light coating of petroleum jelly or oil.
• Wash houseplants on both sides of leaves.
• Change HVAC filter.
• Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers.

What NOT To Do After A Fire

• Don't attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces or shampoo carpet or upholstery without contacting your local SERVPRO.
• Don't attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire, heat or water without consulting an authorized repair service.
• Don't use any canned or packaged food or beverages that may have been stored near the fire, heat or water.
• Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet. The wiring may be damaged.
• Don't send garments to an ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set smoke odor.

After any fire damage situation, your primary focus should be safety:

• Is it safe to stay in the house?
• Electrical and "slip and fall" hazards are some of the most prevalent concerns.
• Only do activities that are safe for you to perform.
• Wet materials can be VERY heavy. Be careful!

What To Do After A Fire

• Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets.
• Keep hands clean so as not to further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork.
• Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas.
• If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator and prop doors open.
• Clean and protect chrome with light coating of petroleum jelly or oil.
• Wash houseplants on both sides of leaves.
• Change HVAC filter.
• Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers.

What NOT To Do After A Fire

• Don't attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces or shampoo carpet or upholstery without contacting your local SERVPRO.
• Don't attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire, heat or water without consulting an authorized repair service.
• Don't use any canned or packaged food or beverages that may have been stored near the fire, heat or water.
• Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet. The wiring may be damaged.
• Don't send garments to an ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set smoke odor.

After any fire damage situation, your primary focus should be safety:

• Is it safe to stay in the house?
• Electrical and "slip and fall" hazards are some of the most prevalent concerns.
• Only do activities that are safe for you to perform.
• Wet materials can be VERY heavy. Be careful!

What To Do After A Fire

• Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets.
• Keep hands clean so as not to further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork.
• Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas.
• If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator and prop doors open.
• Clean and protect chrome with light coating of petroleum jelly or oil.
• Wash houseplants on both sides of leaves.
• Change HVAC filter.
• Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers.

What NOT To Do After A Fire

• Don't attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces or shampoo carpet or upholstery without contacting your local SERVPRO.
• Don't attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire, heat or water without consulting an authorized repair service.
• Don't use any canned or packaged food or beverages that may have been stored near the fire, heat or water.
• Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet. The wiring may be damaged.
• Don't send garments to an ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set smoke odor.

The homeowner reported that there was fire in the unit and they needed reconstruction. The team had replaced burnt walls and renovated the house. 

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 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.

his 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.St

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 Hollywood/Hallandale/Aventura 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.