Recent Fire Damage Posts

Fire Prevention Week

8/22/2022 (Permalink)

This year, Fire Prevention Week in the United States is from October 9th through October 15th. According to the National Archives and Records Administration’s Library Information Center, fire prevention week is on Record as the longest running public health observance. 

The first National fire prevention week was October 4th through the 10th in 1925. This started a tradition of the President of the United States signing a proclamation of recognition for the annual occasion. The yearly event falls on the week of October 9th and runs Sunday through Saturday. 

The week is in commemoration with the "Great Chicago Fire". The Great Chicago Fire took place on October 8th-9th 1871. This dreadful fire burned over 2,000 acres, destroyed over 17,400 structures, left 100,000 people homeless, and killed more than 250 people. Legend has it, the fire started after a cow kicked over a lamp. 

To celebrate, Lexington, Kentucky has an annual "Fire Prevention and Wellness Festival". This year the festival will be held at the end of October at Masterson Station Park. SERVPRO will have a booth at the festival to promote fire safety. This is a free family event with health screenings, fire truck rides, fire demonstrations, food, bouncy houses, pony rides, games and more. Come visit SERVPRO's booth at the Fire Prevention and Wellness Festival. 

Fire at Warehouse

2/16/2022 (Permalink)

Our SERVPRO team responded to a fire at a warehouse over the holidays! Our SERVPRO fire team is called in after the fire department has done their job. We can do everything from cleaning the structure that was affected, to the contents in the building. 

Usually, due to the way the fire is extinguished, there is likely water damage as well as fire damage. Typically with fire damage, there is soot and smoke damage. Our team is specially trained in these areas to make it look "Like it never even happened." 

Along with the soot and smoke damage, fires leave a very distinct smell. We use ozone machines to get rid of the fire smell. The contents will also be places in an ozone chamber to get rid of any smell that may be lingering. 

Our SERVPRO shop is a one stop shop! We can even remodel your home or commercial property after everything has been mitigated! 

Kitchen Fire at Local Home

12/29/2021 (Permalink)

A few months ago our SERVPRO team responded to a fire at a local home. Luckily, the fire was contained to the proximity of the kitchen. When a fire takes place, the home is not just affected by the fire. There is also water damage from the sprinklers putting out the fire. 

Our SERVPRO team goes in after the fire fighters have put out the fire and the damage has been done. Our team goes in and cleans all of the contents and gets rid of the smell caused by the smoke. The remnants of smoke is much harder to get rid of than imaginable. Our team works very hard by cleaning the walls, then painting them with an oil based paint. And lastly, adding a final coat. 

After we repair the damages, we offer remodeling services as well. We are currently expanding in our remodeling and construction department. Our SERVPRO team likes to make sure the job is seen all the way to the end. 

The Aftermath of Fire Damage

11/11/2021 (Permalink)

Unfortunately, the end of summer in Kentucky welcomed some local fires. Due to the abundance of fires in our area, the SERVPRO team has been called to address some of the aftermath. This job is just one of many that the SERVPRO team has been called to assess the damages and help get the job done. The SERVPRO team wants to come into a residential home or business and make it look like, "it never even happened" by the time a job is completed. In this case, the fire attacked most of the family home. 

After the SERVPRO team arrives to a job and evaluates the amount of harm done to the building, they start working promptly to prevent the situation from worsening. Immediately, after a fire, soot residue settles onto the furniture and the entire area of the property. If not treated in a prompt manner, acidic soot may appear. If there are areas in the house that have wood, it may require refinishing after a fire. This is why SERVPRO is always faster to any disaster! 

Have a fun and safe Halloween!

10/1/2021 (Permalink)

Halloween is for costumes, candy and fun! No one wants their fun to be spoiled by a fire! SERVPRO wants everyone to have a fun and safe time this Halloween! We have a list of safety tips below provided by the National Fire Prevention Association.

  • Candles - Refrain from having an open flame. Use battery-operated candles or glow-sticks in your jack-o-lanterns.
  • Costumes - Choose the right costume. Stay away from long or flowing fabric, and skip extraneous costume pieces.
  • Decorations - Avoid flammable decorations including dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper that are highly flammable. Keep decorations away from open flames and other heat sources, including light bulbs and heaters.
  • Exits - Remember to keep all decorations away from doors so that they are not blocking any exits or escape routes.
  • Smoke alarms - Make sure all your smoke alarms are working and up to date.
  • Visibility - Provide flashlights to children or have them carry glow sticks as part of their costumes. Make sure if a child is wearing a mask that the eye holes are large enough to see out of them.

 SERVPRO wishes everyone a fun and safe Halloween!

Fire at Local Home

8/17/2021 (Permalink)

In the beginning of summer, a local home caught fire. SERVPRO of Lexington arrived promptly to help get the restoration process started. SERVPRO is the first to arrive after the local firefighters leave. Fire damage is an overwhelming thought for a home owner. That's why SERVPRO is here to help with customers overwhelming instances. 

It is important to remember all SERVPRO employees that deal with fire damage and restoration are highly trained in this area. The first thing a SERVPRO employee does when arriving to the scene is, do an estimate. Next, they check and see if any water damage took place from the fire fighters. Then, tear out damaged materials and clean the objects that can still be saved. 

In any case of fire restoration, it is important to call professionals quickly. Unfortunately, what a fire leaves behind can continue to affect the damaged area. Effects from fire can include odors or discoloration. Therefore, it's important to call SERVPRO to get the job done!

Fire at Nearby Theater

6/9/2021 (Permalink)

Our SERVPRO team got the phone call that a theater in a nearby city caught fire. Our SERVPRO team responded immediately and drove to the theater in Kentucky. Our SERVPRO team members are trained in first responding and disaster recovery. They knew just how to get the job done!

The accidental fire began when a construction worker was using a handheld tool on the roof and the tool created a spark. Fortunately, the fire was contained to the roof. Most of the building’s damage was caused by smoke and water damage from the sprinklers attempting to put out the fire. The lobby, dressing rooms, office, restrooms, and many other areas of the building were affected.

There is a lot of work that still needs to be done but fortunately we have the right team for the job. Our SERVPRO team is working extremely hard to make it look "Like it never even happened.”

4th of July

6/9/2021 (Permalink)

With the fourth of July right around the corner, we want to remind you of these fireworks safety tips from the National Council on Fireworks Safety. We hope you have a great, safe, fourth of July!

Recommended Safety Tips

  • Obey all local laws regarding the use of fireworks.
  • Know your fireworks; read the cautionary labels and performance descriptions before igniting.
  • A responsible adult SHOULD supervise all firework activities.  Never give fireworks to children.
  • Alcohol and fireworks do not mix.  Save your alcohol for after the show.
  • Wear safety glasses when shooting fireworks.
  • Light one firework at a time and then quickly move away.
  • Use fireworks OUTDOORS in a clear area; away from buildings and vehicles.
  • Never relight a “dud” firework.  Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
  • Always have a bucket of water and charged water hose nearby.
  • Never carry fireworks in your POCKET or shoot them into METAL or GLASS containers.
  • Do not experiment with homemade fireworks.
  • Dispose of spent fireworks by wetting them down and place in a metal trash can away from any building or combustible materials until the next day.
  • FAA regulations PROHIBIT the possession and transportation of fireworks in your checked baggage or carry-on luggage.
  • Report illegal explosives, like M-80s and quarter sticks, to the fire or police department.

And let’s not forget the safety of our pets!

  • Don’t bring your pets to a fireworks display, even a small one.
  • If fireworks are being used near your home, put your pet in a safe, interior room to avoid exposure to the sound.
  • Make sure your pet has an identification tag, in case it runs off during a fireworks display.
  • Never shoot fireworks of any kind (consumer fireworks, sparklers, fountains, etc.) near pets.

Have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving!

11/1/2018 (Permalink)

Our SERVPRO team wants everyone have a great Thanksgiving. While you're cooking that turkey, surrounded by family and friends, we want you to be safe too! In just case, we have some fire safety tips provided by the NFPA to keep you safe this holiday season! 

  • Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food.
  • Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently.
  • Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay 3 feet away.
  • Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
  • Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
  • Keep knives out of the reach of children.
  • Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
  • Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — up high in a locked cabinet.
  • Never leave children alone in room with a lit candle.
  • Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.

Holiday Safety Tips

12/20/2017 (Permalink)

According to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), the leading cause of kitchen fires is unattended cooking. Thanksgiving ranks at the top of the list for home fires involving cooking equipment with three times the average number, followed by Christmas Day and Christmas Eve.

 But the potential for a kitchen fire doesn't have to turn your next holiday party into a bah-humbug affair. Here are the "ingredients" for a safe holiday:

  • Stay in the kitchen when cooking so you can keep a close eye on the food, especially when frying and sautéing with oil.
  • When cooking a meal that takes a long time like roasting a turkey or baking a roast, check it frequently. And a timer is your friend. Use one to help remind you there's something cooking. Some people even put timers in different rooms so they can hear it over the music and party chatter.
  • Be alert and focused when cooking. It's easy to get distracted when there is a lot of activity around you. To help minimize the risk of injury, if you're sleepy or have had an extra glass of eggnog or two, ask others to take over in the kitchen. Or save that glass of wine to have during dinner or after you've cleared the table and washed dishes.
  • Keep things that can catch fire, such as oven mitts, wooden utensils, food wrappers, and towels away from the cooking area.
  • Make sure kids stay at least three feet away from the stove and oven, hot food, and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy, or coffee could cause serious burns.
  • Store toys, pocketbooks, and bags in a safe place so you, your guests, and the kids don't trip near the stove and oven, or on a sharp corner of the counter.
  • Move matches and utility lighters out of reach of children.
  • Secure cords from electric knives, the coffee maker, plate warmer, mixer, and other cooking equipment at the far end of counters so no one accidentally pulls them off the edge.