Firefighting water soaks ceilings and drywall. We extract the standing water, set up dehumidifiers and air movers, and take moisture readings every day until the floors and framing test dry.
More about Water Damage Restoration
Available 24/7 · Ocala and nearby areas
Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration in Ocala, FL
A lightning strike, a kitchen fire, or a barn fire can leave smoke damage through your home. Our crew handles fire and smoke damage restoration in Ocala, FL, from soot cleanup to repairs. Call any time, day or night.
Call (321) 945-427845minutes
IICRC Certified Firm#70120685
We work with all major insurance carriers
Fire damage help
Fire and smoke damage in Ocala
Soot is acidic. Left on a surface, it keeps staining paint, yellowing grout, tarnishing metal, and over time etching glass. Surfaces that clean up well in the first few days can stain for good if the soot sits.
Central Florida sees frequent summer thunderstorms, and lightning strikes can start attic fires or damage wiring. Smoke from those fires often spreads through the attic and down through ceiling vents before anyone notices.
Horse country brings its own risks. Barn fires, burning hay, and brush fires on farm properties can send heavy smoke toward nearby homes and outbuildings.
Homeowners, property managers, and business owners call us after fires all year round. We work across Downtown Ocala, SE Ocala Historic District, Silver Springs Shores, Marion Oaks, On Top of the World, Fore Ranch, Paddock Park, Ocala Palms, Stone Creek, and Oak Run.
Call Now (321) 945-4278Fire damage restoration at a glance
What’s included
Board-up, attic and ceiling soot cleanup, odor treatment, humidity-focused drying, and repairs.
Typical timeline
A few smoky rooms can be cleaned in days. Rebuilding after an attic or kitchen fire takes several weeks.
How cost is set
The estimate reflects how far smoke spread through the attic and rooms, what can be saved, drying needs, and any rebuilding.
First visit
Call (321) 945-4278A free inspection and estimate before any work starts.
The first 24 hours
What to do after a fire in Ocala
Ocala Fire Rescue, or the department that responded, decides when it’s safe to go back in. After that, these steps protect your family, your belongings, and your claim.
Not sure what’s safe to touch? Call and walk through it with our crew.
Call (321) 945-4278What to do
Wait for the fire department
Fire can weaken floors and ceilings in ways you can’t see. Stay out until the fire department says it’s safe.
Photograph every room
Take photos and video of every room, closet, and the garage before anything is moved or thrown out.
Call your insurer the same day
Open a claim and write down the claim number and your adjuster’s name. Ask Ocala Fire Rescue for the incident report too.
Keep every receipt
Hotel stays, meals, and supplies may be covered by your policy’s loss-of-use coverage.
Check outbuildings and barns
If the fire involved a barn or garage, keep animals and people away until it’s cleared.
What not to do
Don’t wipe the soot
Water and household cleaners smear soot into paint and fabric and can set the stain for good.
Don’t run the AC
It can pull soot from one room and blow it through the whole house. Leave it off until the ducts are checked.
Don’t eat food that was near the fire
The USDA says to throw out food exposed to heat, smoke, or firefighting chemicals, including food in the fridge, since the door seal isn’t airtight.
Don’t switch on electronics or appliances
Heat, water, and soot can damage them inside. Have them checked first.
Don’t turn the gas or power back on yourself
Leave that to your power company (Ocala Electric Utility or Duke Energy) or a licensed electrician.
Common fire damage
Types of fire and smoke damage we clean up in Ocala
Lightning, humidity, and rural properties shape the fires we see in Marion County. Each leaves residue that needs its own cleaning approach.
Lightning-Caused Fires
Lightning can ignite attic framing or damage wiring, starting fires that spread smoke through the ceiling before they’re noticed.
Kitchen Fires
Cooking oil fires spread a tacky yellow film over kitchen cabinets and ceilings, and the smell lingers until it’s degreased.
Barn and Outbuilding Fires
Hay, equipment, and stored fuel in barns and sheds can burn hot and fast, sending heavy smoke toward nearby homes.
Attic and AC Smoke
An attic fire, or an AC running during a fire, can carry soot through the ductwork and out the ceiling vents.
Dryer Fires
A lint-filled vent in an Ocala garage or laundry room can ignite and send smoke indoors.
Water From Firefighting
Hose water soaks ceilings, drywall, and insulation. In Florida humidity, it must be dried quickly, or mold follows.
How we clean
How we get smoke and soot out of your home
A lingering smoke smell comes from residue on drywall, cabinets, attic insulation, carpet pad, and ducts. Fresheners only cover it.
We test each surface. A small trial shows us how to remove soot without spreading it or damaging the finish.
Loose soot comes off before anything gets wet. HEPA vacuums and dry sponges go first, which matters in humid weather, when wet soot sets fast.
Then the odor at its source. Attic trusses, subfloor, and ductwork that soaked up smoke are deodorized, and saturated blown-in insulation is replaced. Some treatments require an empty house, so we schedule them with you.
What the residue tells us
Dry soot
Usually fromFast fires in wood or paper
How it behavesA dusty layer that comes off with HEPA vacuums.
Oily residue
Usually fromWiring, plastics, and foam burning slowly
How it behavesA slick film that streaks when wiped.
Protein residue
Usually fromCooking fires
How it behavesA near-invisible film with a persistent smell.
Attic soot
Usually fromLightning or attic fires
How it behavesHeavy deposits on ceilings and around vents.
What can be saved
What can be cleaned and what gets replaced
In Marion County homes, outcomes depend on the material, how close it was to the fire, and how fast cleanup starts in the humidity. Here’s a general guide, and the inspection confirms it.
Glass, tile, metal, and stone
Usually cleanedThese clean well if soot is removed quickly. Humidity can speed up corrosion.
Painted walls and ceilings
Usually cleanedPainted block walls and drywall usually clean up. Any smoke shadow that stays is sealed and repainted.
Drywall and ceilings
Depends on heat and timingCeilings below an attic fire often need replacing if water soaked them. Smoke-stained drywall elsewhere can usually be cleaned and sealed.
Wood cabinets and furniture
Depends on heat and timingFinished wood usually cleans. Heat-damaged pieces may need refinishing.
Clothing, curtains, and bedding
Depends on heat and timingMany clothes and linens recover with smoke-odor laundering, and riding gear or tack may need a specialist. Burned or melted items can’t be saved.
Upholstered furniture and rugs
Depends on heat and timingCouches and rugs with light smoke can usually be deodorized. Hose-soaked pieces mildew quickly in Florida air and are usually replaced.
Electronics and appliances
Depends on heat and timingLightning surges and soot can damage them. Have them tested before use.
Photos and documents
Depends on heat and timingKeep photos, papers, and show ribbons dry and flat in air conditioning. Specialists can often restore them.
Charred framing
Depends on heat and timingRoof trusses with surface char from a lightning fire may be cleaned and sealed. Trusses the fire weakened are replaced.
Insulation, mattresses, and carpet pad
Usually replacedBlown-in attic insulation, mattresses, and carpet pad hold smoke and water too deeply to clean.
Food and medicine
Usually replacedThrow out any food that was near heat or smoke, and ask your pharmacist about medicine that was in the room.
Packing out your belongings
If rooms need heavy cleaning or a rebuild, we can pack out your belongings as a separate service. Ask about it during your free inspection.
Belongings beyond repair get their own photo list, so the adjuster sees why each was let go.
Help beyond the fire
Other restoration services we offer in Ocala
Every job starts with a free inspection and estimate. Fire damage rarely comes alone, so the same team handles what comes with it.
Florida humidity can turn wet ceilings and walls into a mold problem within days. We find the moisture source, contain the area, remove the mold, and dry the space out.
More about Mold Remediation
Hurricanes and summer thunderstorms can open Ocala roofs to rain. We dry the structure, remove damaged materials, and repair the ceilings and walls inside.
More about Storm Damage
Horse farm businesses and Ocala offices both lose income while smoke damage is cleaned up. We extract, dry, and clean on a plan built around reopening, and we document each step for your carrier.
More about Commercial Restoration
When you’re ready to rebuild, the same crew puts it back together, from drywall to cabinets to the final coat of paint, so there’s no second contractor to hire.
More about ReconstructionDealing with one of these?
Call (321) 945-4278Call and talk to our crew about what happened. The call is free, and so is the inspection.
Our process
What happens after you call
- 1
You call, we send a crew
Call (321) 945-4278 any time, day or night, including weekends and holidays. Tell us what happened and whether the fire department has cleared the house. We’ll send a crew right away.
- 2
We secure the property
We board up broken windows and doors and tarp openings in the roof, so rain and intruders stay out while the work is planned.
- 3
We arrive and inspect
The 24 Hour Flood Pros team traces how far the soot and smoke went, room by room, including closets, the attic, and the ducts. We use moisture meters to find hose water inside walls and under floors. We photograph all the damage for your insurance. The inspection is free.
- 4
We remove water and seal off clean rooms
We pump out standing water and set up drying equipment. Rooms the smoke didn’t reach get closed off with plastic, so soot doesn’t follow us through the house.
- 5
We remove what can’t be saved
Materials that can’t be saved, like charred drywall and soaked insulation, come out. If you need belongings packed out, we can do that as a separate service.
- 6
We clean and deodorize
Soot comes off with dry methods first, then wet cleaning matched to each surface. With the residue gone, we treat the smell in the materials and ducts that soaked it up.
- 7
We make the repairs
When you’re ready, the 24 Hour Flood Pros team fixes the damage. We replace drywall, install cabinets, and finish with fresh paint. Our goal is to make your home look the way it did before.
- 8
Final check with you
Before we sign off a room, we check surfaces in strong light and wipe-test them for leftover residue. Then we walk through with you, with the AC running for a smell check, and send the final records to your insurance company to close out the claim.
Lightning strike in a storm?
Call (321) 945-4278A strike can start a hidden attic fire or damage wiring. If you smell smoke after a storm, get everyone out, call 911, and then call us.
Insurance and claims
Help with your fire damage insurance claim
We work with all major insurance carriers, including State Farm, Allstate, Liberty Mutual, Farmers, American Family, Travelers, and Nationwide. Documentation starts on the first visit, and your adjuster can call us directly with questions.
Your policy decides what’s covered, not us. Our job is keeping the paperwork clear enough that your claim doesn’t stall. We bill your insurance directly for damage your policy covers.
Many homeowners policies also include loss-of-use coverage, sometimes called additional living expenses, for a hotel or rental while the house is repaired. Ask your adjuster what yours includes before you book anything.
If a claim stalls, you can file a complaint with the Florida Department of Financial Services.
What your adjuster will ask for
- The date and time of the fire, and what started it, if known
- The fire incident report from the department that responded
- Photos and video of every room, taken before cleanup
- A list of damaged belongings: what can be cleaned and what can’t
- Receipts for emergency repairs, hotel stays, and meals
What we send them
- Date-stamped photos of each damaged area
- Moisture readings from the firefighting water
- A line-by-line estimate for cleanup and rebuild
- One point of contact for your adjuster
Where we work
Areas we serve around Ocala
We serve Ocala and communities across Marion County.
Ocala neighborhoods
- Downtown Ocala
- SE Ocala Historic District
- Silver Springs Shores
- Marion Oaks
- On Top of the World
- Fore Ranch
- Paddock Park
- Ocala Palms
- Stone Creek
- Oak Run
Nearby cities
- The Villages
- Belleview
- Dunnellon
- Silver Springs
- Summerfield
- Reddick
- Anthony
- Citra
- Fort McCoy
- Weirsdale
- Ocklawaha
- Inverness
Don’t see your area listed? Call us and we’ll tell you right away.
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Common questions
Ocala fire and smoke damage FAQs
How fast can 24 Hour Flood Pros get to me?
A crew can be there within 45 minutes. We work 24/7, including nights, weekends, and holidays. If the fire department hasn’t cleared the house yet, we’ll talk you through what to do until it does.
Is it safe to stay in my house after a fire?
Not until it’s been checked, and often not in the rooms closest to the fire. Soot in the air irritates your lungs, and burned floors, ceilings, and wiring can be unsafe. After the inspection, we’ll tell you which areas are safe to use and whether it makes sense to stay somewhere else during the work.
Will the smoke smell ever go away?
In most homes, yes, once the residue is cleaned off and the materials that soaked up smoke are treated or removed. A smell that keeps coming back usually means residue was missed, often in the ducts, the insulation, or inside cabinets. That’s why our final walkthrough includes a smell check with the heat or air running.
Can I clean the soot myself?
A light film on a small area, maybe. Anything more, we don’t recommend it. Wiping soot with water or household cleaners usually smears it into paint and grout and can set the stain. Soot is also acidic and irritating, so it shouldn’t be handled without gloves and a respirator.
Does homeowners insurance cover fire and smoke damage in Florida?
Most standard homeowners policies cover sudden fires, including smoke damage and water damage from putting the fire out. Limits, deductibles, and exclusions vary, so check your policy or ask your agent.
How much does fire damage restoration cost in Ocala?
It depends on how far the soot and smoke spread, what can be cleaned or has to be replaced, how much water needs drying, and how much has to be rebuilt. One smoky room costs far less than a kitchen fire that reached the attic. The inspection and estimate are free, so you know the cost before any work starts.
How long does fire damage restoration take?
Light smoke damage in a room or two can take a few days. A fire that needs walls, cabinets, or floors rebuilt can take several weeks or longer, depending on the scope, permits, and insurance approvals. Your estimate includes a schedule.
How do I get a fire report in Ocala?
For fires inside the City of Ocala, request the incident report from Ocala Fire Rescue. Many nearby cities and counties run their own fire departments, so ask the department that responded.
Do you handle commercial fire damage?
Yes. We restore offices, restaurants, shops, and other commercial buildings, and we plan the work around getting you reopened. See our commercial restoration page for more.
Available 24/7
Get a free inspection
Day or night, weekend or holiday, call (321) 945-4278. A crew can be there within 45 minutes to start your free inspection.
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