Multifamily Fire Damage Restoration: Inside a Real Job Site

What happens in the first hours after a multifamily fire

First Onsite’s Denver team got the call at 8:00 p.m. The fire was still burning.

Crews arrived on site and waited, staged and ready, until nearly midnight, when the fire department cleared the building as safe to enter. The first task: a full board-up with no power and no lights, in the middle of a February night, with displaced residents waiting outside in blankets.

That’s what the first hours of a multifamily fire loss actually look like.

In this video, Denver General Manager Nate Sappington walks through the job site at a 200-unit condominium property, covering what the team found, how they approached the work, and what it took to get residents back in their units.

What the damage looked like

The fire originated in the back bedroom of a single unit. It was an electrical fire. Four units had direct structural damage. The rest of the building, about 24 units in all, had to be evacuated due to smoke odor.

The spread of damage followed a pattern that’s common in multifamily fire losses:

One unit with severe damage. The source unit took the full impact: charring, smoke-saturated surfaces, and significant water damage from suppression efforts. The fire department used large volumes of water to extinguish the fire, which soaked flooring and penetrated wall assemblies.

Neighboring units with smoke and char. Adjacent units had heavy smoke presence and some exterior char damage. While the interior was largely salvageable, ceilings and insulation still had to come out. Smoke odor hides in insulation, and leaving it means the odor stays.

Building-wide smoke odor. Residents across the property were displaced not because of visible damage, but because of smoke. Getting those residents home quickly, once air quality was addressed, was the priority.

How First Onsite managed the job

Emergency Stabilization

Within hours of the fire department clearing the scene, the First Onsite team had boards on every opening. No power, no lights. They worked through the night to secure the property against weather and unauthorized access.

Smoke odor removal

Deodorization started the moment the scene was released. The team deployed HEPA and charcoal filtration units alongside hydroxyl generators to begin breaking down smoke particles in the air and on surfaces. Ceilings and insulation in affected units were removed to eliminate odor at the source, not just mask it.

Water damage mitigation

The flooring came out, not primarily because of smoke, but because of suppression water. Fire departments use hundreds to thousands of gallons to extinguish a structural fire, and that water moves fast. Removing wet flooring and drying structural assemblies was essential before any reconstruction could begin.

Contents and structural assessment

Damaged materials including glass and compromised finishes were documented and staged for the rebuild phase. The team separated what could be restored from what needed to be replaced, keeping the scope accurate and the timeline tight.

Resident reoccupancy

The goal from day one was getting residents who weren’t in directly damaged units back home as fast as possible. By working efficiently through mitigation, the team minimized displacement time across the building.

The crew behind the work

Eight restoration technicians were on site. Nearly all are IICRC-certified fire restoration technicians, trained in fire mitigation, soot cleaning, deodorization, and board-up procedures. The team also trains alongside carpenters to ensure board-up work is done correctly and structures are properly secured.

That level of training matters on a job like this. Fire damage is not one-size-fits-all. Different materials require different cleaning methods, and missing smoke penetration in an insulated wall or ceiling cavity means the odor comes back.

The outcome

The property management client sent texts and emails during the job expressing how impressed they were with the team’s response. It was one of First Onsite Denver’s first large-scale jobs with this client, and the reviews since have been strong.

For Nate and the team, the measure of a good outcome goes beyond the scope of work:

“It felt good knowing that we were able to help out not only the property owners and the property management, but the residents who are displaced as well. We take pride in that. When we show up here, we want to make sure that we take care of everybody.”

FAQ

What should a property manager do immediately after a multifamily fire?
Once the fire department has cleared the building, call a professional restoration company before allowing anyone back in. Keep HVAC systems off to prevent smoke from spreading further. Document the damage with photos. Do not attempt to clean soot — improper cleaning can permanently stain surfaces and push smoke particles deeper into materials.
How far does smoke damage spread in a multifamily building?
Smoke travels through HVAC systems, shared wall cavities, and under doors. In this job, 24 units were affected even though only four had direct structural damage. Smoke odor alone is enough to make units uninhabitable until professional deodorization is complete.
Why does flooring need to come out after a fire if there’s no visible fire damage?
Fire suppression uses large volumes of water. That water saturates flooring and the subfloor beneath it. Even if the fire never reached a unit, suppression water may have. Wet flooring left in place leads to mold and ongoing structural damage.
How long does fire damage restoration take at a multifamily property?
It depends on the extent of damage and the number of units affected. Units with smoke odor only can often be cleared faster once deodorization is complete. Units with structural damage, water intrusion, and insulation removal require more time. First Onsite provides a detailed scope and timeline after the initial assessment.
Does First Onsite handle both mitigation and reconstruction?
Yes. First Onsite manages the full process, from emergency response and board-up through mitigation, deodorization, and reconstruction. Property managers and owners work with one team from first call to final walkthrough.
What certifications do First Onsite technicians hold?
Technicians on fire damage jobs are IICRC-certified fire restoration technicians. IICRC certification requires standardized testing and demonstrates proficiency in fire, smoke, and soot mitigation practices.

Fire Damage Restoration at a Denver Multifamily Property