PuroClean Remediates a Bartlett Apartment Burned in a Propane Fire

As the “Paramedics of Property Damage,” PuroClean is always on standby to help mitigate a disaster. We received a call one Monday morning from Bill, the owner of a siding and roofing business in Bartlett. He told us about a three-bedroom, 950-square-foot apartment unit that recently burned. The blaze started from a leaking propane tank as a resident grilled outside. The fire spread fast and a neighbor from across the street called 911 when he saw the dark smoke. 

Bill, the caller, was in charge of acquiring all of the necessary services to restore the unit to what it once was. Bill searched online for a fire restoration company and found us. We quickly agreed to assist Bill through the process. We are so proud to be in a position to help restore losses like this in our Bartlett community.

Inspecting the Fire Damage

We sent out our technician and project manager to meet with Bill to assess the unit’s damages. The fire had consumed the entire kitchen area. The blaze badly charred everything: walls, countertops, kitchen table, and refrigerator. Additionally, the damage continued into the living room, where the flames burned the carpeting, sofas, walls, and ceiling to a crisp. Smoke spread to the three bedrooms and one bathroom in the back of the unit. Soot ruined most of the resident’s belongings permanently. Soot causes further damage, staining belongings, and leaving a pungent smell that’s hard and often impossible to remove.

Firefighters arrived and put the fire out with their water hoses. Unfortunately, the water from the firehoses found its way down to the garage, causing secondary damage to all three resident garages in the building. Mold can start growing on a damp surface within 24 to 48 hours. In an abundance of caution, we removed the contents the owners had stored in the garage and then the drywall, and insulation, to prepare for reconstruction.

The Fire Restoration Begins

We brought in three 30-yard dumpsters to start the demolition process and clean out the unit and garages. We wore hazmat suits, gloves, 3M Respirator masks, and helmets to protect us from the decimated unit’s potential hazards. To see the totality of the items made unsalvageable due to the fire was devastating to all of us because it made it clear just how much was lost.

We started by removing the heavy bedroom furniture such as the bed, bed frame, dressers, desks, and doors from the bedrooms. The force of fire had blown the glass out of the windows, so the openings made quick work of the removal process. The rest of the contents in the rooms – mostly clothing, papers, and books – unfortunately, were unsalvageable due to the overwhelming soot and residue. We slowly worked our way through the rest of the unit, removing couches, refrigerator, tables, washer, and dryer. Our crew then took out the stove, dishwasher, and sink, and the cabinets were taken down by sawing them off. Soon the entire unit was clear.

Slowly, we worked our way through removing the rest of the drywall and insulation in the house and pulled the carpet out. With the unit stripped down to the studs, we were able to focus on the three garages. Unfortunately, the water ruined all of the owners’ items. We removed all of the unsalvageable contents and then the drywall. It was incredibly sad to see that the fire destroyed so many cherished personal belongings. However, people are resilient and luckily no one was hurt.

Reconstruction and a New Beginning

After eight days, the resident’s damaged contents, furniture, drywall, installation, carpets, and tile flooring had been removed from the unit and all three garages, leaving only the studs. It was time for reconstruction and a new start.

Restoration work can be messy and difficult, but it is rewarding to contribute to helping someone rebuild from the ashes. It can be bittersweet at times. But, it all feels worth it when we can offer peace of mind to those who experience loss. This job serves as a clear reminder of why we do what we do.

Call PuroClean of Bartlett for Fire Restoration Services

Fire damage can be devastating. Especially at this time of year, as house fires become more common, partially due to cooking accidents. For guidelines to help prevent this from happening to you, check out some of our grilling safety tips. If your property needs disaster restoration services in the Bartlett area, call us at (630) 823-0424.