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Fire, smoke, soot and the water that put it out

Fire Damage Cleanup & Restoration

A fire leaves three problems behind: burned materials, acidic soot and the hundreds of gallons of water used to stop it. We handle all three, starting with a free inspection within 45 minutes and ending with the rebuild.

  • 24/7 Emergency
    Response
  • On Site Within
    45 Minutes
  • Free Fire Damage
    Inspection
  • Total Loss
    Inventory
Fire-damaged room during cleanup
On site in 45 minutes24/7, including holidays
Real Green Planet job

Local crews across Southern California, Florida, Washington and Nevada

After the fire trucks leave

Soot starts etching surfaces within hours. The clock starts when the fire goes out.

Soot is acidic. Left on metal, glass, grout and countertops, it starts to tarnish and discolor them the same day. Meanwhile the water from the hoses soaks drywall, insulation and subfloors, and mold can follow within 24 to 48 hours.

That is why our first visit covers more than the burned room. We pump out standing water, check how far smoke traveled through ducts and wall cavities, and secure the structure before we talk about cleaning or rebuilding.

  • Firefighting water removed first
  • HVAC & duct cleaning
  • Attic insulation replaced
  • Walls, floors & ceilings rebuilt

Is it safe to go back in?

Wait until the fire department clears the building. Then call us before you start moving things around.

Book your free fire damage inspection

Tell us what happened. We'll take it from here.

Fire just happened? Call (800) 719-4808 for the fastest dispatch.

Your information is secure and never shared.

Steps to take after a fire

What to do (and not do) before our crew arrives

A few well-meant cleanup attempts cause more permanent damage than the fire. Until a technician has looked at it, keep things as they are.

Restrict movementAI job photo
Restrict movement

Restrict movement

Keep people out of affected rooms. Every footstep grinds soot into carpet and tracks it into clean areas.

Don't wash walls or floorsAI job photo
Don't wash walls or floors

Don't wash walls or floors

Water and household cleaners smear oily soot deeper into paint and grout and can set stains for good.

Don't touch electricalAI job photo
Don't touch electrical

Don't touch electrical

Skip ceiling fixtures, switches and electronics. Hose water may have reached wiring behind the walls.

Cover the carpetAI job photo
Cover the carpet

Cover the carpet

Lay clean towels over carpeted walkways you have to use, so soot on your shoes stays off the fibers.

What our fire restoration covers

Every part of the loss, not just the burned room

Smoke goes where the fire never did. Our scope follows it.

Free inspectionAI job photo
Free inspection

Free inspection

A walkthrough of every room, the attic and the HVAC system, with photos and a written scope.

Air purificationAI job photo
Air purification

Air purification

HEPA air scrubbers run from day one to pull soot and smoke particles out of the air.

HVAC, duct & furnace cleaningAI job photo
HVAC, duct & furnace cleaning

HVAC, duct & furnace cleaning

Smoke gets pulled into return vents and redistributed. We clean the system so it stops recirculating odor.

Attic insulation replacementAI job photo
Attic insulation replacement

Attic insulation replacement

Insulation soaks up smoke like a sponge. Contaminated insulation comes out and new insulation goes in.

Exterior power washingAI job photo
Exterior power washing

Exterior power washing

Soot on stucco, siding and eaves gets washed off before it stains the finish.

Total loss compilationAI job photo
Total loss compilation

Total loss compilation

An itemized list of everything beyond repair, with age and condition, ready for your adjuster.

Our fire damage restoration process

Five steps from smoke-filled to move-in ready.

Water first, soot second, odor third. The order matters, because each step protects the next one.

  1. 01

    Water extraction

    Before anything else

    Pumps remove the standing water left by firefighting so floors and walls can start drying.

  2. 02

    Soot & smoke removal

    Surface by surface

    HEPA vacuums and dry chemical sponges lift soot without smearing it, then surfaces get the right cleaner.

  3. 03

    Odor removal

    At the source

    Thermal fogging and ozone reach smoke trapped in cavities, insulation and porous materials.

  4. 04

    Mold prevention

    Sanitize & dry

    Antimicrobial treatment and structural drying so the wet areas never turn into a mold job.

  5. 05

    Structural repair

    Rebuild

    Walls, floors, ceilings, roof framing and insulation rebuilt by the same team.

One team, fire to finish.

No hand-off between the cleanup crew and the rebuild crew.

A few days

Small, contained kitchen fires.

Several weeks

Structural fire with smoke & water.

Free

Initial inspection, within 45 minutes.
24/7 emergency response(800) 719-4808We're here when nature strikes.
Where soot hides after the visible mess is gone.AI job photo
Where soot hides after the visible mess is gone.

Hidden smoke damage

Where soot hides after the visible mess is gone.

A surface clean misses the places smoke settles in. These are the spots we open up, test and treat on every fire job.

Book a Free Inspection
  • HVAC ducts, coils and the furnace
  • Attic insulation above the fire room
  • Wall cavities behind drywall
  • Inside outlet and switch boxes
  • Under carpet and carpet pad
  • Inside electronics and appliances
  • Closets and cabinets with doors shut
  • Rooms on other floors, via the ducts

Fire insurance claims

Your adjuster gets the full picture, including what cannot be saved.

Fire claims live or die on documentation. We photograph everything, separate restorable contents from total losses and keep your adjuster updated, so you are not rebuilding an inventory from memory.

  1. 1

    Document the damage

    Fire, smoke, soot and water damage photographed and measured room by room.

  2. 2

    Build the total loss list

    Every unsalvageable item logged with description, approximate age and pre-loss condition.

  3. 3

    Coordinate and bill

    We work with your adjuster directly and handle restoration billing.

We work with all major carriers

Including:

  • USAA
  • State Farm
  • Nationwide
  • Chubb
  • Amica
  • Erie
  • American Family
  • Neptune Flood
  • Descartes

Contents that can be restored get packed out and cleaned off site. Everything else goes on the total loss list.

Why choose Green Planet Restoration

Fire restoration by the people who also rebuild it

Certified fire technicians

Trained to IICRC standards for fire and smoke restoration, with the air filtration and deodorization gear to match.

Cleanup and reconstruction

We rebuild walls, floors, ceilings and roof framing ourselves, so the job does not stall between contractors.

Hope after the fire

With the right care, most homes and businesses come back. We walk you through each step so you know what is next.

  • 22 yrsIn restoration, since 2004
  • 45 minTypical arrival
  • 24/7Emergency dispatch
  • FreeFire damage inspection
Featured video

Featured video

After the fire, the cleanup starts.

Soot, ash and smoke residue keep doing damage after the flames are out. Here is how our crews clean it up and get the home ready to rebuild.

Now showing: After the Flames: Comprehensive Smoke & Fire Damage Restoration with Green Planet Restoration

  • Sustainable
    Solutions
  • Expert
    Restoration
  • Community
    Focused

Case studies

Recent projects

Real jobs, start to finish: what we found, what we did and how it turned out.

Kitchen fire, full gut and rebuild
Sample project

Sample scenario

Kitchen fire, full gut and rebuild

A stovetop fire charred the ceiling and soaked the room with water from the hoses. We removed burned framing and drywall, cleaned the structure and rebuilt the kitchen.

  • Demolition
  • Soot removal
  • Rebuild
See similar projects
Smoke cleanup through the whole house
Sample project

Sample scenario

Smoke cleanup through the whole house

The fire stayed in one room but smoke reached every closet. Air scrubbers ran for days while we cleaned walls, floors and contents.

  • Air scrubbers
  • Dry sponge cleaning
  • Contents
See similar projects
Garage fire with attic smokeAI job photo
Garage fire with attic smoke
Sample project

Sample scenario · Las Vegas Valley

Garage fire with attic smoke

A garage fire sent smoke into the attic above the living space. Insulation came out, the rafters were cleaned and sealed, and new insulation went in.

  • Attic cleanup
  • Sealer
  • Insulation
See similar projects

Frequently asked questions

Fire damage questions, answered.

What does fire damage cleanup involve?

Water extraction from firefighting, soot and smoke removal from every affected surface, air purification, HVAC and duct cleaning, attic insulation replacement, exterior power washing, removal of damaged materials, antimicrobial sanitizing and a total loss inventory for your claim.

How long does fire damage restoration take?

A small, contained kitchen fire can be finished in a few days. A structural fire with smoke and water through the house can take several weeks. Square footage, how wet things got, smoke penetration into ducts and insulation, and claim approval speed all affect it.

Is smoke damage as serious as fire damage?

Often it reaches further. Smoke moves through wall cavities, ducts and insulation, and its acidic soot corrodes metal, etches glass and discolors surfaces within hours. The odor sets into porous materials if it is not treated professionally.

Can fire-damaged contents be restored?

Many can. We separate restorable items from total losses, pack out and clean salvageable furniture, electronics, clothing and documents off site, and document the rest in detail for your adjuster.

Does Green Planet Restoration work with insurance for fire claims?

Yes. We document fire, smoke, soot and water damage, compile the total loss inventory, coordinate with your adjuster and handle restoration billing, so you are not managing the paperwork on your own.

Why is water damage a problem after a fire?

Fire hoses put hundreds of gallons into the structure. Floors warp, drywall crumbles, wiring gets wet and mold can start in 24 to 48 hours. That is why water extraction is always our first step.

Should I clean fire-damaged walls and electronics myself?

No. Scrubbing soot pushes it deeper into porous surfaces and sets stains and odor permanently. Electronics and fixtures can be a shock hazard if water reached the wiring. Restrict movement and wait for a certified technician.

Can you restore a home's structure after a major fire?

Yes. After extraction, soot removal and sanitizing, we rebuild damaged walls, subfloors, ceilings and roof framing and replace attic insulation, bringing the property back to pre-loss condition.

Fire damage gets worse by the hour. Call now.

Free inspection. On site in 45 minutes. 24/7.

Call us anytime(800) 719-4808 Book Free InspectionWithin 45 minutes

Where we work

Our business locations

Local crews in four states, each with its own team, trucks and direct line. Pick your region to find the closest branch.

Southern California

Headquarters region
  • Los Angeles
  • San Fernando Valley
  • Culver City
  • Santa Monica
  • Torrance
  • Pasadena
  • Santa Clarita
  • Palmdale & Lancaster
  • Oak Park
  • Ventura & Oxnard
  • Irvine
  • Santa Ana
  • Laguna Beach
  • San Bernardino
  • San Diego
View Southern California locations

Florida

South Florida
  • Miami
  • Miami Beach
  • Hialeah
  • Coral Gables
  • Miami Gardens
  • North Miami Beach
  • Homestead
  • Lauderhill
View Florida locations

See all locations or call (800) 719-4808, 24/7

Don't let damage linger.

Mold and structural damage can start within 24 to 48 hours of water exposure. Get a free estimate and immediate dispatch.

Call Now Request Service