After a fire, the flames are only part of the damage. Smoke, soot, and the water used to put the fire out can reach far past the room that burned. In an apartment or condo, that can mean units that never caught fire. One Call Services restores fire and smoke damage in Sunnyvale 24/7, including holidays. We restore homes, apartments, and condos, and we treat every unit with care. Our fire damage restoration covers smoke, soot, and water damage, in the unit that burned and the ones around it. Our average response time is 60 minutes. Call (510) 394-1606 once it is safe.
When Your Unit Did Not Burn
Sunnyvale has a lot of apartments and condos, and a fire in one unit affects the whole building. In a recent eight-unit fire here, three units burned, but all eight were damaged by smoke and water.
If your unit did not catch fire but smells like smoke or has water damage, you still need cleanup. Smoke and soot slip through shared walls, attics, and vents. We clean smoke and water damage in neighboring units, not just the one where the fire started. Waiting only lets the smoke smell and soot settle in deeper.
Safe First Steps After a Fire
Do not go back inside until the fire department clears the building. Once inside, do not wipe soot or turn on soot-covered appliances. Soot smears and can hide damage. Take photos for your claim, then call us.
We are locally owned since 2012 and bilingual in English and Spanish. A real person answers day or night.
After the Flames: Smoke, Soot, and Water
The burned area is only part of the job. Smoke and soot coat surfaces and settle into fabrics, and the smell gets worse if it sits. The water and foam used to fight the fire soak floors and walls. Left wet, that water turns into mold. We handle all of it.
What Not to Do After a Fire
Some instincts make things worse. Until we get there, please avoid these.
- Do not wipe soot off walls, since it smears and becomes permanent
- Do not switch on the HVAC, which pushes soot and smoke through the building
- Do not plug in or power up soot-covered electronics
- Do not use food, drinks, or medicine that sat in the smoke
If you are unsure, leave it alone and snap a photo for your claim.
Water, Foam, and Mold
Fighting a fire leaves water and foam behind, and in a multi-unit building that water can spread into units below and beside the fire. Trapped moisture can grow mold within a day or two. We dry every affected unit to a measured target, so the building does not trade a fire for a mold problem. In a shared building, one wet unit can affect several, so we check them all.
What Causes Fires in Sunnyvale Homes
Most fires here start small and spread fast in shared buildings.
- Kitchen and grease fires, the most common cause. Never put water on a grease fire.
- Electrical faults, from aging panels, outlets, and worn cords
- Space heaters and candles, especially in the cooler months
- Shared walls and attics, which let one unit's fire reach its neighbors
Our Fire Damage Process
Every job follows steady steps.
First, we inspect and write an itemized scope for you and your adjuster. Next, we clean soot and smoke residue from surfaces, matched to each material. Then we dry the water and foam left behind, using air movers and dehumidifiers.
For odor, we run HEPA air scrubbers and remove the source of the smell, rather than covering it. Last, we prepare the home for repairs and confirm surfaces are clean and dry.
Why Acting Fast Matters
Soot is acidic. Within days it begins to etch glass, metal, and finishes, and smoke odor sinks deeper into walls and fabrics. The sooner cleanup starts, the more can be saved and the lower the repair bill. That is why we answer 24/7 and aim to arrive within 60 minutes.
Cleaning Your Belongings
Apartment and condo fires often mean losing the place you live for a while, so your belongings matter even more. We sort what can be saved, clean and deodorize salvageable clothing, furniture, and keepsakes, and write up the losses for your claim. A clear, documented list helps renters and owners settle with insurance faster. We treat your belongings with care, because they are often what matters most after a fire.
Renters, Owners, and Landlords
A building fire raises a fair question: whose insurance pays?
If you rent, your renters policy covers your belongings and temporary housing, while the building owner's policy covers the structure. If you own the unit or the building, your policy handles the parts you are responsible for. We document the damage clearly, so each party has what they need for a claim.
Why Sunnyvale Residents Call One Call Services
- IICRC Certified Firm #163618
- Locally owned since 2012
- 60-minute average response time
- Open 24/7, including holidays
- Bilingual English and Spanish
- Free inspections and direct insurance billing
Fire jobs often need more than cleaning, so we also handle soot removal, reconstruction, and water cleanup through water damage restoration. See our full fire damage restoration service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you offer fire damage help after hours in Sunnyvale?
Yes. We answer 24/7, including holidays, and our average response time is 60 minutes. Call (510) 394-1606 to reach a real person now.
My unit did not burn but smells like smoke. Can you help?
Yes. Smoke and soot travel between units in apartments and condos. We clean smoke, soot, and water damage in neighboring units, not just the one that burned.
Is the firefighting water damage covered?
Usually, yes. The water and foam used to fight a fire are part of the fire loss. We dry that damage and include it in the claim.
Can you save my belongings?
Often, yes. Many clothes, furniture, and hard items can be cleaned and deodorized. We sort what is salvageable, treat those items, and list the rest for your claim.
How soon should cleanup start?
As soon as the building is safe to enter. Soot gets more damaging and odor gets harder to remove the longer they sit.
Will the smoke smell go away?
Yes. We remove the odor source and run HEPA air scrubbers, which clears the smell instead of hiding it. Units treated early recover the fastest.
Do you work with property managers and HOAs?
Yes. We coordinate multi-unit fire cleanup with owners, HOAs, and managers, and document each unit separately for insurance.
Do you handle commercial fire damage?
Yes. We restore offices, shops, and restaurants as well as homes and apartments, and we work to limit downtime.
Do you serve my part of Sunnyvale?
Yes. We cover homes, apartments, and condos across Sunnyvale. Call to confirm your address.
Do you help with my deductible?
Yes. We offer financing, and we provide deductible assistance on jobs over $20,000.
