Recent Fire Damage Posts

Belmont Fire Damage

7/27/2022 (Permalink)

Fire Damage Tips

What To Do After A Fire

  • Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets.
  • Keep hands clean so as not to further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork.
  • Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas.
  • If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator and prop doors open.
  • Clean and protect chrome with light coating of petroleum jelly or oil.
  • Wash houseplants on both sides of leaves.
  • Change HVAC filter.
  • Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers.

What NOT To Do After A Fire

  • Don't attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces or shampoo carpet or upholstery without contacting us.
  • Don't attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire, heat or water without consulting an authorized repair service.
  • Don't use any canned or packaged food or beverages that may have been stored near the fire, heat or water.
  • Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet. The wiring may be damaged.
  • Don't send garments to an ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set smoke odor.

Have Smoke or Fire Damage? Call (503) 907-1161

Fire Damage In Portland Area Property

3/7/2022 (Permalink)

In Oregon and many places in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, it sometimes feels like you can get all four seasons of weather in one day or even one hour. So, when we do have these cold snaps and reminders of winter it is still incredibly important to be safe when using your fireplace or wood stove.

When soot, smoke, and fire damage take control of your life, let us help you take control back. Our local Portland area team of trained and experienced professionals is Here to Help you when disaster strikes. Our team has the skills, experience, and empathy to respond to any fire damage, big or small in homes or commercial spaces.

Our teams work to clean, restore, and repair damage and help you get back to life preloss. If fire strikes you, call our North Portland and West Hawthorn team who are professionals are ready 24/7 to respond to emergencies.

Fire-damaged Garage in Portland.

12/19/2021 (Permalink)

Garage fires happen in Portland.

We were lucky that the fire was contained to the garage, or the insurance company would have declared the fire damage as a total loss. After the fire was extinguished, the Portland fire department reported that the fire originated from a faulty electrical wire. The smoke and soot from the fire even managed to travel inside the house!

SERVPRO of North Portland / West Hawthorne has the advanced training, experience, and specialized equipment required to restore fire damage of all kinds, and no job is too big. Our highly trained fire restoration technicians are on call 24 hours a day and typically arrive on-site within four hours of your call. Here are some safety tips from our website on what to do after a fire:

  • Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets
  • Keep hands clean so as to not further soil upholstery, walls, and woodwork
  • Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery, and carpet traffic areas
  • If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator and prop doors open
  • Wash houseplants on both sides of leaves
  • Change the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) filter
  • Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers

Call Us!

When your Portland home or business experiences fire damage SERVPRO of North Portland / West Hawthorne is here to help you.  We’ll clean and restore your fire damage, “Like it never even happened.” 

Ember Fire in Portland?

12/18/2021 (Permalink)

Ember fire prevention tips for Portland.

Our family loves to sit around the outdoor firepit in the evening. One night a gust of wind came and blew some of the embers up and onto the decking above us, and a fire broke out. It happened so quickly. Although the Portland fire department responded quickly and extinguished the fire before it could spread to other parts of the house, there was still a lot of fire, smoke, soot, and water damage left from the firefighting efforts.

SERVPRO of North Portland / West Hawthorne responds to fire damage emergencies 24 hours a day and we clean and restore all kinds of property damage. Research published by the National Fire Protection Association and the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety reports that deck fires have a better chance of igniting when fuel sources are closer together.  Here are some tips for minimizing fire risk from windblown embers to decks:

  • Do not store items that can ignite underneath of a deck
  • Increase the gap between deck boards from 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch
  • Increase joist spacing from 16 inches to 24 inches
  • Apply a foil-faced self-adhering flashing tape (foil-faced bitumen tape) on the top of each joist

Call Us Today!

When your Portland home experiences fire damage SERVPRO of North Portland / West Hawthorne is here to serve you.  We’ll clean and restore your fire damage, “Like it never even happened.” 

Fire-damaged Garage in Portland?

12/9/2021 (Permalink)

Garage fires happen.

We were lucky that the fire was contained to the garage, or the insurance company would have declared the fire damage as a total loss. After the fire was extinguished, the Portland fire department reported that the fire originated from a faulty electrical wire. The smoke and soot from the fire even managed to travel inside the house!

SERVPRO of North Portland / West Hawthorne has the advanced training, experience, and specialized equipment required to restore fire damage of all kinds, and no job is too big. Our [highly trained hyperlink] fire restoration technicians are on call 24 hours a day and typically arrive on-site within four hours of your call. Here are some safety tips from our website on what to do after a fire:

  • Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets
  • Keep hands clean so as to not further soil upholstery, walls, and woodwork
  • Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery, and carpet traffic areas
  • If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator and prop doors open
  • Wash houseplants on both sides of leaves
  • Change the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) filter
  • Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers

Call Us!

When your Portland home or business experiences fire damage SERVPRO of North Portland / West Hawthorne is here to help you. We’ll clean and restore your fire damage, “Like it never even happened.” 

Smoke Damage in Portland?

12/8/2021 (Permalink)

First comes smoke damage.

The sharp smell of smoke woke me up. When I investigated, I found that the fireplace damper was closed, and the fireplace smoke had been accumulating inside the house!  Fortunately, no one was hurt, but the smoke odor permeated into all of our belongings and furnishings in our Portland home.

I called SERVPRO of North Portland / West Hawthorne, and they arrived quickly and carefully inspected my home to determine the extent of the smoke damage. They pretested all of our belongings and used a variety of cleaning methods to remove the smoke odor and soot residue. Here are some of the cleaning methods they used:

Cleaning Methods

  • Dry Cleaning - used for cleaning light residues or to pre-clean before wet cleaning
  • Wet Cleaning - an effective cleaning method for removing moderate to heavy residues
  • Spray and Wipe - effective for items that can’t withstand wet cleaning
  • Foam Cleaning - used for upholstery fabrics that might shrink or bleed if wet cleaned
  • Abrasive Cleaning - involves agitation of the surface being cleaned
  • Immersion Cleaning - contents are dipped into a bath of the cleaning product

Call Us Today!

You never know when your Portland home will need fire damage restoration services, but when you do, SERVPRO of North Portland / West Hawthorne is Here to Help. We’ll clean and restore your fire-damaged belongings, “Like it never even happened.” 

Wood-burning Stove Fire in Portland?

12/1/2021 (Permalink)

Heating Safety Tips

For a time, I lived in Portland with a wood-burning stove as my only source of heat. It was nice to hear the fire crackling away and to feel the warmth of the fire. It wasn’t until I had to inspect the roof for a leak that I noticed that the stovepipe cap was not fastened onto the roof - it was just propped up there with no fasteners! Wind could have blown the stovepipe cap off at any time causing a fire. Yikes!

Fire damage happens more frequently during the cooler winter months, but it can happen at any time. SERVPRO of North Portland / West Hawthorne has been mitigating fire damage in Portland for years. Here are some heating safety tips from the National Fire Protection Association to help prevent heating fires:

  • Install wood burning stoves following manufacturer’s instructions or have a professional do the installation
  • All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning
  • Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment like the fireplace, furnace, wood stove, or portable space heater 
  • Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional
  • Test smoke alarms at least once a month

Call Us!

When you need fire damage restoration services in Portland, SERVPRO of North Portland / West Hawthorne is Here to Help. 

Grills Create Fire Risk For Portland Area Homes

4/21/2021 (Permalink)

If your home suffers from soot, smoke, or fire damage trust SERVPRO of North Portland / West Hawthorne to help make it "Like it never even happened."

As the days stretch longer and they get slowly warmer families will be bringing out their grills and BBQ's. As Covid continues to get under control families and friends will begin to gather and enjoy time outdoors and around the grill. 

Grills and BBQ's can cause fire damage to homes throughout even with careful eyes and practiced grillers.

Follow these simple steps to stay safe and limit the chance of property damage. 

  • Keep children and kids away from BBQ's and grills
  • Never leave a BBQ and grills unattended
  • Keep excess propane canisters away from Grill while in operation
  • Always have a fire extinguisher nearby in the instance of a fire 

If your home suffers from soot, smoke, or fire damage trust SERVPRO of North Portland / West Hawthorne to help make it "Like it never even happened." 

Air Fryer Causes Damage In Portland Area Home

4/5/2021 (Permalink)

Trust SERVPRO of North Portland / West Hawthorne to help you make it "Like it never even happened."

Raise your hand if you're part of the air fryer cooking craze! Follow these tips so you won't have to call SERVPRO with fire damage.

Follow these tips to stay safe while cooking with an air fryer. 

Don't 

Don't use cooking sprays with propellants, aerosol sprays, or chemical-based nonstick sprays. They might start to break down the coating on many non-stick baskets and trays. 

Do

Do invest a few dollars in a quality oil spray or pump and use a quality high flash point oil. 

If your home suffers from a fire, soot, or smoke damage from a cooking mishap, trust SERVPRO of North Portland / West Hawthorne to help you make it "Like it never even happened." We have crews on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to respond to your emergency damage. 

Smoke Damage In North Portland Area Home

2/4/2021 (Permalink)

If fire damage strikes your property, trust SERVPRO of North Portland/West Hawthorne to make it "Like it never even happened."

When fire damage from an electrical fire, cooking fire cause damage in your home, the worry and fear can take hold. You may worry that it can happen again, and that next time it will be worse. With all of those questions and concerns running through your head, why not trust the professionals to clean your property. 

SERVPRO of North Portland/West Hawthorne is Here to Help you when fire damage strikes. We have crews who are trained who will respond, and take action. Our crews will clean the structure on-site, and pack out your contents to come back to our warehouse to be cleaned. Once your contents are cleaned, they are stored in our secure, climate-controlled warehouse until your house is clean and any repairs that were needed are complete. 

If fire damage strikes your property, trust SERVPRO of North Portland/West Hawthorne to make it "Like it never even happened." 

12 Days of Safety, Day 11, Cooking Safety

12/23/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of North Portland/ West Hawthorne Here To Help

Day 11

We know that during the holidays there are lots of causes for stress and worry in a normal year, add on a global pandemic and it becomes too much. We want to help you take as much worry and stress away from you all year long, but especially this time of year. We at SERVPRO of North Portland/West Hawthorne are sharing 12 safety tips for your friends and family this year and every holiday season.

To keep your home and family as safe as possible remember when preparing a meal, wash hands, utensils, sink, and anything else that touches raw meat.

No matter what happens in your home from water damage from a broken pipe or a toilet overflow or a fire from faulty wiring or a kitchen fire, our teams are ready to respond. We have crews who are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

12 Days of Safety, Day 7, Light Safety

12/19/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of North Portland/ West Hawthorne Here To Help

Day 7

We know that during the holidays there are lots of causes for stress and worry in a normal year, add on a global pandemic and it becomes too much. We want to help you take as much worry and stress away from you all year long, but especially this time of year. We at SERVPRO of North Portland/West Hawthorne are sharing 12 safety tips for your friends and family this year and every holiday season.

To keep your home and family as safe as possible remember to check holiday lights for fraying, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, or excessive kinking in the wire.

No matter what happens in your home from water damage from a broken pipe or a toilet overflow or a fire from faulty wiring or a kitchen fire, our teams are ready to respond. We have crews who are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

12 Days of Safety, Day 5, Fire Safety

12/17/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of North Portland/ West Hawthorne Here To Help

Day 5

We know that during the holidays there are lots of causes for stress and worry in a normal year, add on a global pandemic and it becomes too much. We want to help you take as much worry and stress away from you all year long, but especially this time of year. We at SERVPRO of North Portland/West Hawthorne are sharing 12 safety tips for your friends and family this year and every holiday season.

To keep your home and family as safe as possible remember to choose an artificial tree that is labeled fire-resistant.

No matter what happens in your home from water damage from a broken pipe or a toilet overflow or a fire from faulty wiring or a kitchen fire, our teams are ready to respond. We have crews who are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

12 Days of Safety, Day 3, Fireplace Safety

12/15/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of North Portland/ West Hawthorne Here To Help

Day 3

We know that during the holidays there are lots of causes for stress and worry in a normal year, add on a global pandemic and it becomes too much. We want to help you take as much worry and stress away from you all year long, but especially this time of year. We at SERVPRO of North Portland/West Hawthorne are sharing 12 safety tips for your friends and family this year and every holiday season.

To keep your home and family as safe as possible remember to keep trees away from fireplaces, radiators, and other heat sources.

No matter what happens in your home from water damage from a broken pipe or a toilet overflow or a fire from faulty wiring or a kitchen fire, our teams are ready to respond. We have crews who are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

12 Days of Safety, Day 1, Candle Safety

12/13/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of North Portland/ West Hawthorne Here To Help

Day 1

We know that during the holidays there are lots of causes for stress and worry in a normal year, add on a global pandemic and it becomes too much. We want to help you take as much worry and stress away from you all year long, but especially this time of year. We at SERVPRO of North Portland/West Hawthorne are sharing 12 safety tips for your friends and family this year and every holiday season.

To keep your home and family as safe as possible remember never to use lighted candles near trees or boughs.

No matter what happens in your home from water damage from a broken pipe or a toilet overflow or a fire from faulty wiring or a kitchen fire, our teams are ready to respond. We have crews who are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Fire Damage in Portland Area Homes

11/20/2020 (Permalink)

When fire and smoke damage strikes, trust SERVPRO of North Portland/West Hawthrone.

When fire damage strikes a property after the safety of everyone is safe, the next thing to think and worry about is how to clean and restore the structure of your home. 

In fire damage restoration, there are many ways to loosen smoke residues. Blast cleaning is a heavy agitator that uses compressed air to blast sand, baking soda, CO2, dry ice, or even ground corn cobs against a solid surface like charred wood. 

SERVPRO of North Portland/West Hawthrone are ready to respond to your property damage and are Here To Help you. We have crews who are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to respond when the time comes. If you or someone you know experiences fire or smoke damage, call us. 

Fire damage clean up in the Portland area.

9/23/2020 (Permalink)

Fire damage clean up in the Portland area.

We have had a lot more experience with fires this month than in many recent years. Many homes and properties have been affected by soot and smoke damage or odor from nearby fires. 

Fire damage can be costly, that's why we restore all property and contents that we can. Here is how we at SERVPRO of North Portland / West Hawthorne clean interior walls to be free from soot and smelly residue caused by fire.

Clean: Apply the cleaning solution to rag and work from bottom to top in 3-4-inch circles.

Rinse: Apply the rinsing solution to the rag and work from bottom to top.

Dry: Fold the towel in quarters. Dry the cleaned area. Rotate the towel as each side becomes damp.

If fire or soot damage strikes, SERVPRO of North Portland / West Hawthorne is Here To Help.

9/21/2020 (Permalink)

If fire or soot damage strikes, SERVPRO of North Portland / West Hawthorne is Here To Help.

Sadly, our state is seeing more than our normal share of fires and fire damage. Even homes and properties very far from fires are being effected by soot, smoke, and odor. 

So, how do we clean after fires? Cleaning in fire damage restoration means removing smoke residues and removing smoke odors. We clean both in different ways to help eliminate lingering odor and permanent damage 

Smoke Odors: Odor causing residues are removed, then restorers use a range of methods to remove odors, including Ozone treatments.

Smoke residues: Residues must be captured before they can be removed. Restorers use air and fluids to release and carry soils away.

If your home or office has been affected by fires of any kind, SERVPRO of North Portland / West Hawthorne is ready to respond when damage strikes. 

Fire Damage In Portland

8/7/2020 (Permalink)

When fire damage strikes, there is only one team to trust.

As experts in fire damage restoration, we use the same thorough process for every job. The first step is locating all smoke residues by inspecting and testing to evaluate what cleaning services are needed for restoration. 

Every fire damage situation is a little different and requires a unique solution, but the general process stays the same. When various materials burn, the soot they create differs greatly and requires a specific cleaning procedure. The steps listed below illustrate our process for the “typical” fire damage restoration. Learn more about our fire damage restoration process.

  1. Emergency Contact
  2. Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment
  3. Immediate Board-Up and Roof Tarp Service (if needed)
  4. Water Removal and Drying (if water damage is present)
  5. Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces
  6. Cleaning and Repair
  7. Restoration

Fire Safety Tips

8/1/2020 (Permalink)

Fire Safety This Summer In Gresham Stay fire safe this summer with these tips from FEMA, but IF you happen to scorch your pavilion a little, we can help to restore it.

  • Only use your grill outside
  • Keel your grill at least three feet from siding, deck rails, and eves
  • Keep a three-foot safety zone to protect your kids and pets
  • Never leave fires unattended, including grills, fire pits, and patio torches 
  • Clean your grill after each use. This will remove grease that can start a fire

If your property has suffered from property damage from smoke or fire SERVPRO of North Portland/West Hawthorne. We have teams of on-call professionals around the clock to respond when damage strikes. Call us at (503) 907-1161

Fire Summer Safety In Portland

7/14/2020 (Permalink)

Fire Safety This Summer In GreshamStay fire safe this summer with these tips from FEMA, but IF you happen to scorch your pavilion a little, we can help to restore it.

  • Only use your grill outside
  • Keel your grill at least three feet from siding, deck rails, and eves
  • Keep a three foot safety zone to protect your kids and pets
  • Never leave fires unattended, including: grills, fire pits, and patio torches 
  • Clean your grill after each use. This will remove grease that can start a fire

If your property has a suffers from property damage from smoke or fire SERVPRO of North Portland/West Hawthorne. We have teams of on call professionals around the clock to respond when damage strikes. Call us at (503) 665-7752

Fire Risk In The Portland Area

6/29/2020 (Permalink)

When fires cause damage to your home or business, make sure to call the team with nearly 30 years of experience.

We know that in these dry summer months the risk of fire can be incredibly high in wooded and natural areas. Not only is there a threat to the natural areas but also to homes and businesses. We know that in the Portland area we see fewer wildfires and property damage as a result of fire damage than many other areas, but that does not mean there is not a very real risk in our area. 

  • Clear leaves and other debris from gutters, eaves, porches, and decks. This prevents embers from igniting your home.
  • Screen or box-in areas below patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent debris and combustible materials from accumulating.
  • Remove flammable materials (firewood stacks, propane tanks) within 30 feet of your home’s foundation and outbuildings, including garages and sheds. If it can catch fire, don’t let it touch your house, deck, or porch.
  • Keep your lawn hydrated and maintained. If it is brown, cut it down to reduce fire intensity. 
  • Don’t let debris and lawn cuttings linger. Dispose of these items quickly to reduce fuel for a fire.

If fire damage takes its toll, call SERVRPRO of North Portland/ West Hawthorne. 

Fire In Portland Area Home From BBQ Use

6/27/2020 (Permalink)

When fire damage takes the toll on your home or commercial building, call SERVPRO of North Portland/ West Hawthorne.

As the days grow warmer and we continue to stay home more the idea of cooking in doors may be too much. How wants to turn their oven on when its 90 degrees? No one. That is why BBQ and grill use goes up in warm summer months, but with that increased use, there is also an increase in home fires and property damages due to BBQ's and grills. Make sure that when you are using your BBQ & grill this summer that you keep it away from your home or any structure, never leave it unattended, and always have a fire extinguisher on hand. 

SERVPRO of North Portland/ West Hawthorne have teams that are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week because we know that property damage can happen at any time of day. 

Fire Damage from Fireworks in Portland

6/24/2020 (Permalink)

Make sure that if you use fireworks this summer, to stay safe.

This time of year, as celebrations begin the danger from fireworks becomes clear. Every year there are both injuries to persons from fireworks and property damage. When your family and friends plan how to celebrate Independence Day make sure that you follow the following Firework Safety Tips; 

  1. Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities, especially with sparklers.
  2. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
  3. Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
  4. Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire and to douse used fireworks before discarding in trash.
  5. Never allow young children to play or ignite fireworks.
  6. Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.

If your home or commercial property suffers from property damage make sure to call the team with nearly 30 years of experience. 

Fire Damage Is No Match For Our Experienced Crews

6/10/2020 (Permalink)

When fire damage strikes, SERVPRO of North Portland / West Hawthorne is ready 24/7, 365.

Property damage can happen to anyone anywhere. Fires can occur in both residential homes, commercial properties, and multi-unit dwellings like hotels, apartments, dorms, and condos. SERVPRO of North Portland / West Hawthorne has nearly 30 years of experience helping property owners and renters just like you when a disaster occurs. Whether it is smoke damage from an unattended candle or a grease fire from a cooking attempt gone wrong.

Our professional team of trained, skilled, and experienced fire technicians is prepared to respond to your fire or smoke damage. We are ready to inventory, pack out, restore, store, and pack back your contents once property restoration is complete. While your contents are being cleaned SERVPRO of North Portland / West Hawthorne is working tirelessly to clean and restore your property including performing demolition of affected materials and completing repairs to help make it “Like it never even happened.”

Fire Extinguisher Clean Up In Portland

6/10/2020 (Permalink)

When a fire happens even a small one that is contained with a fire extinguisher, there is a huge mess to be cleaned.

Fire extinguishers can save lives by putting out a fire before it spreads but they also make a huge mess. So even though the fire may have been stopped and no actual smoke or soot clean up is required there is still cleanup that will need to be done. The powder from fire extinguishers is incredibly fine and spreads, just as it is designed to do it spreads out and coats and covers everything. This is great as far as fire safety and putting out fires goes, but when it comes to clean up it makes it a bit of a challenge. SERVPRO of North Portland / West Hawthorne has the skills and experience to clean up the nastiest of messes including that from a fire extinguisher.

Fire Damage Can Strike At Any Home In The Portland Area

6/10/2020 (Permalink)

When a Fire Damage Strikes, We are Here To Help.

Homes can have issues from fire or smoke damage for various reasons. In the Holiday season home fires often occur from unattended candles and cooking accidents. In winter months they often occur due to fireplaces and wood stoves or from space heaters. In the spring and summer months, fires often occur from issues related to barbecues and grills.

Fires from barbecues and grills typically cause the most damage to the outside of a home or building but damage can also occur inside due to fire or smoke but also from water damage from fire fighting efforts.

If fire or smoke damage takes their toll on your home or building make sure to call the team with nearly 30 years of experience helping customers to make it "Like it never even happened."

Fire Damage in North Portland

4/13/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of North Portland/West Hawthorne is ready 24/7, when disaster strikes.

Homes can have issues from fire or smoke damage for various reasons. In the Holiday season home fires often occur from unattended candles and cooking accidents. In winter months they often occur due to fireplaces and wood stoves or from space heaters. In the spring and summer months fires often occur from issues related to barbecues and grills.

Fires from barbecues and grills typically cause the most damage to the outside of a home or building but damage can also occur inside due from fire or smoke but also from water damage from fire fighting efforts.

If fire or smoke damage take their toll on your home or building make sure to call the team with nearly 30 years of experience helping customers to make it “Like it never even happened.”