A fire is one of the worst things a family can go through. Even after the flames are out, you are left with smoke damage, soot on every surface, and water damage from the fire hoses. The house does not feel like home anymore. It is overwhelming.
One Call Services has been helping Fremont families recover from fires since 2012. We answer the phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. Our IICRC-certified team (IICRC #163618) responds within 60 minutes for emergency board-up and assessment. We have 30+ years of combined experience handling fire jobs. And unlike most companies, we handle the rebuild too. Same team, start to finish.
Call (510) 394-1606 right now if you’ve experienced fire or smoke damage. The longer soot and smoke residue remain, the more extensive and costly the restoration process can become.
What to Do in the First 24 Hours
Once the fire department gives you the all-clear, here is what to do:
- Don't enter the house until the fire department says it is safe. Even after the fire is out, structural damage can be hidden.
- Call your insurance company to start the claim. The sooner you call, the sooner the process moves.
- Take photos of everything. Wide shots of each room, close-ups of damaged contents, serial numbers on appliances and electronics.
- Don't try to clean soot yourself. It smears, drives particles deeper into surfaces, and makes the cleanup harder and more expensive.
- Don't try to wash smoke-damaged clothes in your home washer. The soot transfers to the drum.
- Call a restoration company. The faster the cleanup starts, the more of your home and belongings can be saved.
Our Process
Step 1: Emergency Response and Board-Up
We respond within 60 minutes for emergency calls. If your home has broken windows, a missing roof section, or open doors, we board up and tarp. That keeps weather and intruders out while you decide your next steps.
Step 2: Damage Assessment and Documentation
We do a full walkthrough with you. We document everything for your insurance. We put together a written scope of work and an estimate. You do not have to decide anything that day. Just look it over and call us when you are ready.
Step 3: Water Removal
Most fire jobs come with water damage from the fire hoses. We extract standing water, dry the structure, and run dehumidifiers and HEPA air scrubbers. That prevents mold from starting. This piece is exactly the same as our water damage restoration process.
Step 4: Soot and Smoke Damage Cleanup
Soot is the black, oily residue fire leaves behind. It is acidic. Left alone, it eats through finishes and discolors materials. We clean it off every surface using methods matched to the surface type. Some materials need dry sponges. Others need chemical cleaning.
Step 5: Odor Removal
Smoke odor sinks into porous materials. That includes drywall, carpet, upholstery, and clothes. We use HEPA air scrubbers running continuously, along with cleaning protocols that neutralize the odor at its source. We do not just mask it.
Step 6: Content Cleaning and Restoration
Photos, electronics, clothes, furniture, paper documents. A lot can be saved. We sort, tag, and clean salvageable contents. We will tell you straight up what can be saved and what cannot.
Step 7: Reconstruction
Drywall, flooring, cabinets, paint, full rebuilds. We handle the build-back ourselves. No second contractor, no second timeline. See our damage reconstruction page for details.
Types of Damage We Handle
- Kitchen fires, which are the most common type of house fire.
- Electrical fires. These are common in older Fremont homes with outdated wiring.
- Appliance fires from dryers, microwaves, or electric heaters.
- Chimney fires, usually in homes with older wood-burning fireplaces.
- Wildfire smoke damage. Even when your home was not directly hit by a wildfire, the smoke and ash can settle into your HVAC and contents. We can clean that too.
Soot and Smoke: Why DIY Is a Bad Idea
It is tempting to grab a sponge and start wiping. Do not do it. Soot is made of fine carbon particles in an oily binder. Wiping pushes it deeper into the surface and smears it across clean areas. Your HVAC pulls airborne soot into the ductwork and spreads it across the rest of the house. By the time you give up and call a pro, the cleanup is harder than if you had called from the start.
Working With Your Insurance
Fire claims are usually the most complex insurance claims a homeowner ever files. The scope is big. The documentation requirements are heavy. Adjusters often ask for itemized lists. We do all of that for you. Photos, written scope, room-by-room documentation, daily progress updates. We bill insurance directly. We cannot promise specific coverage outcomes, but we give your adjuster everything they need.
From Cleanup to Rebuild: One Call, One Team
Most fire restoration companies stop at cleanup. They dry the house, clean the soot, and hand it off to a general contractor for the rebuild. That handoff is where projects fall apart. Different timelines, different communication, different invoices.
We do both. The crew that cleans up the soot is the same crew that hangs the new drywall. One point of contact, one timeline, one invoice. Read more about our reconstruction services approach.
Our Service Area
We are based at 3269 Seldon Ct in Fremont. Our crews cover the surrounding Bay Area within about 30 miles. That includes Hayward, Newark, and San Jose.
Call Now for 24/7 Help
You do not have to figure this out alone. Contact our team or call (510) 394-1606 anytime. Free inspection. IICRC-certified. Cleanup and rebuild handled by the same team.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast can you respond to an emergency?
Within 60 minutes inside our Fremont service area, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays.
Will my homeowner's insurance cover the damage?
In most cases, yes. Fire damage is one of the things standard homeowner's policies are built to cover. Coverage details vary by policy. We work with your adjuster and bill insurance on your behalf.
How much does the work cost?
It depends on the size and type of damage. Small kitchen fires can run a few thousand dollars. Whole-house fires run into six figures. We give a free inspection and a written estimate before any work starts.
Can my belongings be saved?
Many of them. Fabric, electronics, paper documents, photos, furniture. We do content cleaning during the process and let you know what is salvageable and what is not. Some heat-damaged items cannot be saved. But more usually can than you would think.
Do you handle the reconstruction or just the cleanup?
Both. Same crew start to finish. You do not need a separate contractor for the rebuild.
Do you serve Hayward and San Leandro?
Yes. We cover Fremont and the surrounding Bay Area within roughly 30 miles.
Do you offer Spanish-speaking technicians?
Yes. Our team is bilingual in English and Spanish.
From Our Customers
★★★★★
