House fire, any advice appreciated

[Pizdets]

Hi,

We got home yesterday afternoon to find our house cordoned off - our next door neighbours had an electrical fire which looks quite serious (no one hurt, in the house when it started).

We're on a terrace and the fire was in the rooms right next to ours, so although we don't have any fire damage the nursery as full of smoke (luckily ds is 10 weeks and still in with us) and rest of the house smells to varying degrees of plasticy smoke.

We're in the process of selling and will be moving in a few weeks, plus with a small baby i want to tackle this as quickly as possible. I'd really appreciate any advice on what works and how to tackle this. I cleared out our least affected bedroom and the fireman said it was safe but I think the smoke smell upset ds as he was unsettled all night, dreading a day of cleaning ahead!

I've got a steam cleaner so at the moment thinking I'll just do loads and loads of washing to run through everything I can, then steam the carpets and curtains, maybe wipe down all the furniture. We've got bloody farrow and ball paint everywhere which marks easily...any ideas?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

Piz

[throckenholt]

We had a fire years ago - and we never managed to get the smell of smoke out of material (sorry). I would steam clean the carpet but if that doesn't work then replace it.

Furniture - googlin suggests vinegar is good. I would get loads of vinegar and try washing everythign down with a mix of vinegar and water and have the windows open as much as possible.

Another suggestion is to use baking powder.

Good luck.

[wonkylegs]

I'm glad you are alright.
Smoke odors can be difficult to shift but there are some tips here
Or here
And here

[Longdistance]

I'm with Nancy.

Get the insurance to sort it. Preferably their insurance.

[StillSlightlyCrumpled]

Agree to getting the insurance to deal with it. We had a fire a few years ago, & aside from the room the actual fire was in the damage was all from smoke. The walls needed replastering, loft re-insulating all the pipes cleaned etc just because getting rid of the smell is near impossible. Horrible shock for your neighbours.

[BrownSauceSandwich]

Yep, I'd be calling in the professionals.

Horrible time for something like this to happen, but I'm glad it's nothing worse.

[throckenholt]

I agree with the suggestion of professionals and insurance. This is really what insurance is for.

[Pizdets]

Thanks everyone, I thought you might say that! Just worried an insurance claim now would both take ages (with Xmas etc) and might show up on searches and affect our sale. Maybe I'm too tired to think straight!

Will have a crack with vinegar and baking soda today and see where we get to. Appreciate all the quick replies!

[struggling100]

You poor thing! What a lot to deal with!

Don't try to clean up yourself - you can end up doing more damage and adding to the problem. I know that you're probably itching to get it sorted, but resist the templation to don your Marigolds! There is more information here about why: disaster.ifas.ufl.edu/pdfs/chap13/d13-17.pdf

Definitely call the insurance company and explain the situation. They should be able to move quickly, given your circumstances.

[StillSlightlyCrumpled]

I know our house was in a real state so we were out for 3 months for building works, but our insurers arranged for a cleaning company to come in to clean the rest of the house very quickly. Things like the pipes in the airing cupboard all needed cleaning as they had held the smell, things you just don't think of (or I hadn't anyway!). Oh & the smell in the loft was awful - it had to be emptied, everything taken away & cleaned with it all insulated again. It's also worth keeping in mind that smoke damage can bugger your electrical appliances & tv's etc are particularly susceptible apparently.

Hopefully your house wasn't too badly affected & it is just residual smell.

[Pizdets]

Thanks everyone. We did actually have a bit of a go at cleaning and have had good success...although as stillslightlycrumpled says, the loft is dreadful so dh needs to go up there and take a proper look.

Think we've been very very lucky that it wasn't worse, i've had a Google today and read some absolute horror stories. I've been soaking clothes in a bath with vinegar and bicarb and they've turned out really well (first wash with detergent alone was not a success).

Thanks for all the advice and support!

[Chippingnortonset123]

When my brother had a house fire in his terrace the whole street claimed on insurance. As others have said, that is what insurance is for.