MOLD, WATER & FIRE DAMAGE REFERRALS · TAMPA BAY & SURROUNDING FLORIDA COMMUNITIES Availability confirmed by phone
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FIRE & SMOKE DAMAGE RESTORATION · TAMPA BAY

After the fire.
A plan for the smoke,
soot and water.

Kitchen fire, electrical fire or smoke from next door. One call starts the conversation about securing the property, cleanup and restoration.

Talk about your fire damage(708) 918-8938
Worker in protective suit cleaning soot from kitchen cabinets after a fire
Soot cleanup after a kitchen fire · Illustrative scene, not a customer project.

QUICK ANSWER

Fire damage restoration is the work of securing the property, removing water used to fight the fire, cleaning soot and smoke residue from surfaces and contents, controlling odor, and rebuilding what burned. Start only after the fire department clears entry, and report the loss to your insurer right away.

What should you do in the first 24 hours after a house fire?

  1. Wait for clearance. Do not re-enter until fire officials say it is safe.
  2. Call your insurer and ask about temporary housing and what documentation they need.
  3. Secure the property. Broken windows, doors and roof openings should be boarded or tarped to prevent weather damage and entry.
  4. Document everything with photos and video before anything is thrown away.
  5. Avoid wiping soot or running HVAC until a professional advises; both can spread residue.

Securing the property: board-up and tarping

Worker boarding up windows on a Florida stucco home after a fire
Emergency board-up after a fire · Illustrative scene, not a customer project.

Openings left by the fire or by firefighters let in rain, animals and intruders. Many restoration companies offer emergency board-up and roof tarping. Ask whether it is billed separately and whether your policy expects you to take reasonable steps to protect the property.

Soot and smoke residue are not all the same

Restorers often describe residues by how they behave. Dry smoke from fast, hot fires leaves powdery residue; wet smoke from smoldering plastics is sticky and smears; protein residue from kitchen fires is nearly invisible but has a strong odor; and fuel-oil soot comes from furnace puff-backs. The residue type affects cleaning methods, so ask how the provider will test and clean each surface.

Smoke odor removal

Air scrubber running in a living room with furniture covered in plastic
Air filtration during smoke odor work · Illustrative scene, not a customer project.

Odor control works best after residue is removed. Providers may use HEPA air scrubbers, thermal fogging, ozone or hydroxyl generators and sealing primers. Ask which method is proposed, whether anyone must stay out of the home during treatment and how results will be checked.

Water from firefighting

Hoses and sprinklers can leave as much water damage as a leak. That water needs extraction and structural drying. See the water damage restoration guide for what drying should include.

Questions to ask a fire damage company

  • Do you handle board-up, cleaning and rebuild, or only part of it?
  • How will you handle contents: on-site cleaning or pack-out?
  • How will odor removal be verified?
  • What applicable Florida license covers the rebuild?
  • How do you document the loss for my insurer?

Compare fire damage cost factors, then check the local pages below.

Fire damage help by city

These cities have ZIPs listed in the partner network’s Fire Damage directory as of October 6, 2026. Availability still has to be confirmed for your exact property.

Hillsborough County

Apollo BeachBrandonGibsontonLithiaLutzOdessaPlant CityRiverviewRuskinSeffnerSun City CenterTampaValrico

Pinellas County

ClearwaterDunedinIndian Rocks BeachLargoOldsmarPalm HarborPinellas ParkSafety HarborSeminoleSt. PetersburgTarpon Springs

Pasco County

Dade CityHolidayHudsonLand O' LakesNew Port RicheyPort RicheySpring HillWesley ChapelZephyrhills

Sarasota County

EnglewoodNorth PortVenice

Frequently asked questions

When can I go back into my home after a fire?
Only after the fire department says it is safe. Structural damage, electrical hazards and smoke residue can remain after the flames are out. See American Red Cross recovery guidance.
What does fire damage restoration include?
A typical scope includes emergency board-up and roof tarping, water removal from firefighting, soot and smoke residue cleaning, odor control, contents cleaning or pack-out, and rebuilding damaged areas. Ask which parts are in the quote.
Why does a fire leave water damage too?
Firefighting water soaks drywall, insulation and flooring. That water needs extraction and drying just like any other leak, or mold can follow. Ask whether drying is part of the fire scope.
Can smoke odor be removed completely?
Odor usually needs the residue removed from surfaces first, then deodorization methods such as air filtration, thermal fogging, ozone or hydroxyl treatment. Results depend on materials and how far smoke travelled; ask the provider how they will verify results.
Should I hire a public adjuster after a Florida fire?
That is your choice. Public adjusters in Florida are licensed by the Department of Financial Services and charge a fee. You can verify a license and learn about your rights through Florida Department of Financial Services consumer help.
Are you the company doing the work?
No. FL Mold Removal Pro is an independent referral website. Independent providers handle their own services, pricing and scheduling. We may receive compensation for a referral.

Sources and further reading: American Red Cross recovery guidance, Florida Department of Financial Services consumer help, Florida DBPR license lookup. General information, not a property assessment.

ONE CALL. A CLEAR FIRST STEP.

Let’s talk about
your fire damage.

Have your property ZIP, the affected rooms and what happened ready. Ask about service availability and the next appointment before making plans.

Call for availability(708) 918-8938

Independent referral service. Provider availability and response times vary. No guaranteed same-day service.

Discuss your fire damage(708) 918-8938