Church Fire Causes Smoke Damage

2/4/2019 (Permalink)

Fire and smoke damage caused by a candle that reignited in the windowsill.

Recently, a local church experienced fire damage and called in SERVPRO of Haverhill/Newburyport to help. The fire started from a candle burning in the windowsill which spread to a cavity in between the walls. Luckily, a neighbor saw the fire inside of the church and promptly called the fire department. The first responders were quick to arrive, extinguishing the fire and preventing it from spreading throughout the building. Despite their timely response, unfortunately, there was quite a lot of damage to the window and carpet below. Smoke filled the church, resulting in black soot covering the surfaces throughout, including the pews, walls, ceiling, and balcony area.

We began the process by wiping the top layer of contaminants away. Then, using SERVPRO’s time-tested and industry-approved steps, along with our proprietary cleaning products and methods, we restored the walls and surfaces without the need to repaint or refinish.  The cleaning process removed the smell from the fire, returning it to pre-fire condition. We have the training and equipment to identify and eliminate these offensive odors. By identifying the cause of the odor and determining the conditions in which the damage was done, the odor can often be removed over time without a trace. Our technicians have access to several odor removal products capable of penetrating surfaces to neutralize an unpleasant odor thoroughly.