Why Fire Damage Gets Worse Without Fast Response
The chemistry of fire damage is aggressive and time-sensitive. Smoke is a complex mixture of carbon particles, acids, and volatile organic compounds. Within the first hour of a fire:
Corrosive soot
Soot contains hydrochloric acid (HCl) and begins etching metal surfaces, glass, and chrome fittings.
Smoke penetration
Smoke proteins and tars begin bonding to porous surfaces including plasterboard, carpet, timber, and soft furnishings.
Accelerated corrosion
Acidic residues accelerate corrosion on appliances, light fittings, and structural fixings.
Early intervention is not just faster — it is substantially cheaper.
Our Fire and Smoke Restoration Process
Our process follows IICRC S700 Standard for Professional Smoke and Soot Restoration:
Emergency Make-Safe and Assessment
We secure the property, assess structural integrity, and board or tarp any openings to prevent weather ingress. We conduct a full assessment of affected zones, water damage from firefighting, and smoke migration into adjoining spaces.
Content Inventory and Removal
All salvageable contents are inventoried, photographed, and removed to a controlled environment for individual cleaning and restoration. Unsalvageable items are documented for your insurance claim.
Dry Soot Removal
Using dry chemical sponges and HEPA-filtered vacuum systems, we remove dry soot deposits from ceilings, walls, and surfaces. This must be completed before any wet cleaning to prevent soot from being driven deeper into porous materials.
Wet Cleaning and Chemical Treatment
Surfaces are cleaned using fire-specific chemical solutions formulated to neutralise acidic soot residues. Heavily stained areas may require repeated treatment passes.
Smoke Odour Neutralisation
We use a combination of methods depending on the severity and the materials affected: Thermal fogging (heated deodorising solution is dispersed as a fog that penetrates the same materials smoke penetrated), Hydroxyl generation (UV-based oxidation that neutralises odour molecules without chemicals), and Ozone treatment (for sealed voids and HVAC systems where other methods cannot reach).
HVAC and Duct Cleaning
Smoke invariably infiltrates ducting. All air conditioning and heating systems are cleaned and sanitised before the property is re-occupied to prevent odour recirculation.
Content Restoration
Furniture, clothing, documents, electronics, and art are individually treated using ultrasonic cleaning, dry cleaning, or specialist chemical treatment depending on the item type and material.
Structural Repairs and Documentation
We coordinate structural repairs including replastering, repainting, and flooring replacement where required. Full photographic and written documentation is provided for your insurer.
Insurance Claims for Fire Damage
Fire damage is one of the most commonly covered events under standard Australian building and contents insurance policies. Alliance Remediation works directly with all major Australian insurers and their loss adjusters. We provide:
- Detailed scope of loss documentation
- Photo-documented content inventory
- Restoration methodology reports compliant with IICRC standards
- Direct adjuster communication if required
- Final clearance documentation
We recommend notifying your insurer immediately, then calling us. Do not re-enter the property before it has been assessed for structural safety.
Service Areas — Melbourne and Victoria
FAQ Section — Fire & Smoke
Can smoke smell be completely removed from a house?
How long does fire damage restoration take?
Timeline depends on the severity and scale of the fire. A contained kitchen fire with minor smoke migration typically takes 3 to 7 days for full restoration. A larger whole-home fire event with structural involvement may take 2 to 6 weeks, including coordination of trades for structural repairs. We provide a detailed timeline assessment after the initial inspection.
What is the first thing I should do after a house fire?
Ensure the property has been cleared as safe by the fire brigade before re-entering. Call your insurer to notify them of the event. Call Alliance Remediation for an emergency assessment — do not attempt to clean up yourself, as incorrect handling of soot can drive contamination deeper into surfaces. Take photos of all damage before anything is moved.
Can fire-damaged furniture and belongings be saved?
Many items can be successfully restored through ultrasonic cleaning, dry cleaning, and specialist chemical treatment — often items that appear to be total losses. Electronics, clothing, timber furniture, artwork, and documents can frequently be recovered with professional treatment. We conduct a thorough contents inventory and provide an honest assessment of what is restorable before disposal decisions are made.
What equipment is used for fire and smoke restoration in Melbourne?
We use specialised equipment for soot removal, air filtration, deodorisation, thermal fogging, and deep cleaning to restore fire-damaged properties in Melbourne.