Case Study: Post-Fire Cleanup & Rebuild in a Stamford Basement, CT

The Stamford fire department responded to an electrical fire in the basement late one night. By the time the fire was out, the basement staircase was completely charred, smoke and soot had spread up through the home, and the family had to relocate.

We received the call the next morning after the fire department cleared the structure. Our IICRC S700-certified crew arrived within hours of receiving the OK to enter.

First step was emergency board-up of the basement window the fire department had broken for ventilation, and tarping around the burn area to contain debris. Then full smoke and soot assessment throughout the home: every level, every surface, every HVAC component. Photo documentation for the Liberty Mutual claim.

Cleanup ran 14 days. IICRC S700 protocol: HEPA vacuum on every surface, chemical-sponge soot removal, full HVAC duct + coil cleaning, content pack-out for soft goods that needed off-site cleaning. Thermal fogging deployed in the basement for 5 nights to penetrate framing and neutralize embedded smoke odor.

Reconstruction phase began on day 15: new staircase framing + treads, drywall replacement around the burn zone, paint matching, and a full HVAC test before the family returned.