Bloomfield Hardware Store Fire Cleanup

10/15/2018 (Permalink)

Here's a true store of a hardware store that suffered major fire damage and yet was back functioning at 100% within 10 days.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield wants you to be able to reopen your business as soon as possible after a fire or any natural disaster. Here’s an example of how we helped one Bloomfield, Connecticut business do just that.

When a car crashed into a Bloomfield, Connecticut hardware store in August 2018 the car burst into flames. The car fire quickly became a commercial building fire. The hardware store was an independent shop with a business owner who could ill afford to be out of business for very long.

On Site within an Hour

After the fire was out, the business owner called SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield around 5 p.m. We arrived on the scene within an hour. Our crew talked to the business owner, surveyed the damage, and created a plan to restore the building. Before nightfall we covered four holes in the hardware store roof with temporary tarps to prevent further damage. We secured six broken store windows so the store would be protected from the elements, vandalism, and from any potential burglary for the night. We also filled several barrels with broken glass.

First, Keep the Business Open

Early the next morning a full SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield crew arrived. A first priority was to section off the damaged portion of the hardware store so the remainder of the store could be safely opened for business. Another top priority was to remove the smoke smell and the soot damage. Members of the SERVPRO crew loaded hardware store furniture and equipment onto a truck for delivery to our Bloomfield warehouse. Tables, chairs, electronic equipment, and more were professionally cleaned and restored at the warehouse. 

Test for All Major Issues, Don’t Just Deal with the Obvious

Our commercial building restoration process always includes testing the site for potential issues that may not be a part of the damage but are still important to eliminate. As part of that process we tested the hardware store for asbestos.

It’s ironic that in most cases of commercial fire damage restoration a huge issue is water—the water used to put out the fire. At the Bloomfield hardware store, we used negative air machines and large commercial dehumidifiers to dry the site. It’s critical that the drying process go beyond removing visible water and moisture. After commercial fires, water and moisture are often hidden inside walls or other hard to reach places. We do a thorough exam to make sure no moisture is left behind. Doing so eliminated potential mold and mildew problems later. Our commercial-grade negative air machines and industrial dehumidifiers dry materials more thoroughly and much faster than lesser equipment.    

As other SERVPRO crew members became available, we added them to the hardware store crew to sped the restoration process. The list of required actions was long. It included scrubbing soot from floors, walls, and fixtures; cleaning duct work; and removing and replacing ceiling tiles.

Clean, Repair and Reconstruct Inside and Out

While some crew members worked on these interior issues, others repaired the four holes in the hardware store roof and replaced the six storefront windows. Within about 10 days SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield had the store’s furniture and equipment cleaned, restored, and back in place. All the damage had been repaired and, in some cases, the “new” store was of even higher quality than the existing store before the fire. The hardware store never had to close its door completely and was up and running as if the car accident and fire had never happened within those 10 days. Fast action by the business owner and by SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield kept the business’s lost revenues to a minimum and kept insurance costs down.  

When you have a fire, any downtime threatens the life of your business. Employees who cannot work may find new jobs. Customers who depend on your goods and services may seek alternative suppliers. Lost revenue may affect capital investments, shareholder confidence, and the bottom line. Don’t let any of this happen to you. Start restoration as soon as possible with a professional crew that has the training, equipment, and experience to do the job right.

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, water damage, and natural disaster cleanup. Our staff is highly trained in commercial building restoration services. We study IICRC standards and best practices in cleaning and restoration. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Ralph DiCristofaro
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service