Fire and smoke damage restoration, from board-up to rebuild
Kitchen fires, electrical fires, lightning strikes and smoke from a neighboring unit. We secure the property, clean soot and odor at the source and rebuild the structure under our general contractor license.
- 24/7 board-up and tarping
- IICRC fire and smoke trained
- Soot and odor removal
- Structural rebuild in-house
Fire damage is more than what burned
After a fire, the visible char is only part of the loss. Smoke and soot travel through the building, into wall cavities, attics, HVAC systems and contents. Acidic soot keeps etching surfaces and odors set in deeper the longer they sit. Water used to put the fire out often creates a second loss that needs drying.
FirstLine secures the property first: board-up, roof tarping and temporary protection against weather and entry. Then we assess what can be cleaned and what must be replaced, remove damaged materials, clean soot with the right method for each surface, and treat odor at its source rather than masking it.
Because we are a Certified General Contractor and Certified Roofing Contractor, we handle the structural repairs, roof work, permits and inspections ourselves. You deal with one company from the night of the fire to the final walkthrough.
First steps after a fire
- Make sure everyone is safe and the fire department has cleared the building
- Do not turn on HVAC, which spreads soot
- Avoid wiping soot, which smears and sets it
- Call us for board-up and roof tarping
- Report the loss to your insurance carrier
Our fire restoration process
Every fire loss is different, but the sequence that protects the property is the same.
Secure the site
Board-up, roof tarping and fencing to protect against weather, entry and further damage.
Assess and document
We inspect structure, contents and systems, and record conditions with photos and notes.
Remove and dry
Debris and unsalvageable materials come out, and any firefighting water is extracted and dried.
Clean and deodorize
Soot removal matched to each surface, plus odor treatment at the source.
Rebuild
Framing, roofing, drywall, electrical coordination, finishes and final inspections.
Fire and smoke services
Emergency board-up
Securing doors, windows and openings the same day.
Roof tarping and repair
Weather protection and permanent roof repairs by a licensed roofer.
Soot and smoke cleaning
Dry and wet cleaning methods matched to each material.
Odor removal
Source removal, cleaning and deodorization rather than masking.
Water damage from firefighting
Extraction and structural drying of saturated materials.
Full reconstruction
Structural repairs to finished rebuild under our GC license.
One contractor for the whole fire loss
Fire losses often involve structural, roofing, electrical and finish work across several trades. FirstLine is licensed to manage all of it, coordinate licensed subcontractors where the code requires, and pull the permits.
Scott Gordon holds the IICRC Fire and Smoke Restoration Technician certification, and our approach follows recognized industry standards for fire and smoke cleanup.
- Florida Certified General Contractor CGC1530039
- Florida Certified Roofing Contractor CCC1334142
- Licensed Mold Remediator MRSR 2865 and Mold Assessor MRSA 2655
- IICRC Certified Firm
- Mitigation, roofing and rebuild by one company
Frequently asked questions
Can my home be cleaned or does it need to be rebuilt?
It depends on how hot the fire burned, how long smoke was present and what materials were affected. Many areas can be cleaned and deodorized; areas with structural charring, heavy heat damage or saturated porous materials usually need replacement. We assess room by room.
How long does smoke odor take to remove?
Odor removal depends on the source, the materials and how far smoke traveled. Removing the sources and cleaning surfaces does most of the work, followed by deodorization. We confirm the result before rebuild, not after.
Do you handle the roof if the fire went through it?
Yes. FirstLine is a Florida Certified Roofing Contractor, so emergency tarping and the permanent roof repair or replacement are handled in-house.
Will you work with my insurance adjuster?
Yes. We document the loss and coordinate with your adjuster on access and scope. Coverage decisions are made by your carrier, and you are responsible for any deductible.
Often needed together
24/7 Emergency Response
Water extraction, tarping, board-up and containment, day or night.
Learn more →
Learn more from our blog
Lightning Struck Your Roof? Understanding Fire Damage, Structural Risks, and Roof Repairs in South FloridaRead the article →Had a fire?
Call for board-up, tarping and a restoration plan, any time of day or night.