Fire & Smoke
The First 24 Hours After a House Fire: What to Do and What to Leave Alone
A calm, practical guide to the first day after a house fire: who to call, when it is safe to go back in, what to save, and what not to touch.
· 5 min read
Mitigation & Emergency Services
Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration
After the fire department leaves, the damage keeps going. Soot is acidic, smoke odor settles deep, and the water used to put the fire out is still in your walls. We secure the property and start reversing all three.
A fire leaves three kinds of damage behind: what burned, what the smoke reached, and what got wet. The burned area is obvious. Smoke is harder, because it travels through wall cavities and ductwork and leaves residue in rooms the flames never touched. Left alone, soot etches glass, tarnishes metal and permanently yellows plastics and paint.
We start by making the building safe and weather-tight, then inventory and clean what can be saved, remove what cannot, and neutralize odor at the source instead of covering it up. When the cleaning is done, our reconstruction crew rebuilds, so you are not left coordinating a second contractor in the middle of a claim.
What our fire and smoke service covers
Emergency board-up and tarping
Openings, windows and roof damage secured against weather and unauthorized entry, often the same day.
Soot and smoke residue removal
Dry sponges, HEPA vacuums and residue-specific cleaners for walls, ceilings, cabinetry and fixtures.
Odor removal
Source removal first, then thermal fogging, hydroxyl or ozone treatment and sealing where the structure needs it.
Water removal from firefighting
Extraction and structural drying for everything the hoses soaked, done alongside the fire cleanup.
Contents pack-out and cleaning
Furniture, clothing, electronics and keepsakes inventoried, cleaned off-site and stored until your home is ready.
Demolition and rebuild
Charred framing, drywall and finishes removed and rebuilt by our own reconstruction team.
How it works
Our process, step by step
- 01
Secure the property
Once the fire department releases the scene, we board up, tarp, and check for structural and electrical hazards.
- 02
Assess and document
We scope fire, smoke and water damage room by room and photograph everything for your adjuster.
- 03
Clean, deodorize, dry
Residue removal, odor treatment and drying run together. Salvageable contents are packed out for cleaning.
- 04
Rebuild
Framing, electrical, drywall, flooring, cabinets and paint, returning the home to its pre-loss condition.
Omaha & Lincoln
Fire season here is winter
In Nebraska the busiest months for house fires are the cold ones: furnaces run nonstop, space heaters come out, fireplaces get used for the first time in months, and dryer vents packed with lint finally catch. Kitchen fires happen year-round. Whatever started it, a winter fire also means a house that cannot hold heat, so board-up and temporary heat to protect the plumbing are part of our first visit.
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FAQ
Fire & Smoke Damage questions
Straight answers to what people ask us most.
Can smoke smell really be removed completely?
Yes, when the residue causing it is actually removed. Odor returns when soot is left in wall cavities, insulation, ductwork or porous materials and simply painted over or masked. We clean or remove the source, treat the air and structure, and seal surfaces only where it is appropriate.
How long does fire restoration take?
It depends on how far the smoke traveled and how much has to be rebuilt. A contained kitchen fire with smoke cleaning may take a couple of weeks. A fire with structural damage involves demolition, permits and reconstruction and commonly runs several months. We give you a schedule once the scope is approved.
Is it safe to stay in the house after a small fire?
Sometimes, but smoke residue and odor are irritants, and people with asthma or other respiratory conditions are more sensitive. If the fire affected the kitchen, electrical system or HVAC, or soot is widespread, plan on staying elsewhere until cleaning is finished.
Do you work with my insurance company?
Yes. We work with all carriers, document the loss, and coordinate scope with your adjuster. You are free to choose your own restoration contractor.
Related services
- Contents RestorationMitigation & Emergency Services
- Air Duct CleaningMitigation & Emergency Services
- KitchensReconstruction
- Full Home RebuildsReconstruction
More mitigation & emergency services
From the blog
Helpful reading
Fire & Smoke
Winter Fire Safety in Nebraska: Space Heaters, Fireplaces, and Dryer Vents
Space heaters, fireplaces, and dryer vents are behind many winter house fires. Practical steps Nebraska homeowners can take before the cold sets in.
· 5 min read
Fire & Smoke
Why Smoke Odor Keeps Coming Back (and What Actually Removes It)
Smoke odor returns when residue is still hiding in walls, ducts, and porous materials. Here is why it comes back and what actually removes it.
· 5 min read
Damage does not wait. Neither do we.
Call any hour of the day or night and tell us what is happening at your property. We will take it from there.