house smells of smoke

[Miss-Shelf]

There was quite a big fire in the next door house yesterday. Fortunately, houses either side were not damaged and no one was injured [cannabis farm].

Fire brigade had the doors and windows to my house open for house during and following the fire and now it smells bad.

I am going to inform my insurers as I think they'll need to know in case of any future problem. [for instance, water has got in under a laminate floor and swelled up a bit...water got in though an open window onto kitchen cupboards.

But mainly, I want to know how to get rid of smell of smoke. Any advice?

 

[8115]

How do I Remove Fire Smoke Smell From Apartment?

It looks like serious work.

 

[two sheds]

Interesting. First paragraph looks good as first stage.

Do they suggest joss sticks at any point?

 

[SheilaNaGig]

This could be a helluva job tbh Miss-Shelf ..
I’m very glad to know no one was injured, and I’m sorry you’ve had to deal with this at all. It’s a nasty business.

My crazy mother was prone to setting house fires when I was a nipper, and I have to say that you can get ambushed by the overwhelming residues for a long time afterwards. I remember opening a drawer years after the last fire and being assaulted by my limbic memory as the smell of housefire billowed out.

I think if I had to deal with it now, I’d take the time over as long a time as it takes to do a proper deep clean into all the drawers and even beneath them, with soapy water and bicarb. That’s in large part my own caution, never wanting to have that sudden surprise ambush again.

I’d take the time and put in the effort to do a proper deep clean , wipe down in all the crevasses with proper cleaner. House fire residue is quite oily, so water isn’t enough.

 

[Miss-Shelf]

Thanks SheilaNaGig
Its been quite noticeable all through the night. Ugggh

 

[farmerbarleymow]

Good luck in getting this sorted out Miss-Shelf - it's bad enough clearing the smell after accidentally burning something in the oven, let alone a full house fire.

 

[Edie]

Bloody hell Miss-Shelf, no cleaning advice but

If you’ve got insurance, I’d be tempted to get a quote from a professional cleaning company and make a claim?

 

[Mrs Miggins]

I think all you can do is scrub everything as has been suggested and then leave windows open as often as possible. Not easy as it's winter. I hope there isn't any lasting water damage.

Washing the walls would be a serious undertaking that I think I'd only do if an initial clean of all the things in the house doesn't make a noticeable difference.

 

[Miss-Shelf]

I'm contacting my insurance today as I think they need to know about the damage next door ...owner of house next door probably doesn't have insurance against malicious damage (she doesn't think) maybe she was in on it too

 

[Mrs Miggins]

Actually I'd lay off cleaning soft furnishings, curtains etc until I'd given the place a really good airing and cleaned all the floors and hard surfaces. See where you are after that.

 

[Miss-Shelf]

I think all you can do is scrub everything as has been suggested and then leave windows open as often as possible. Not easy as it's winter. I hope there isn't any lasting water damage.

.

It's a shame there isn't more damage in the kitchen as I might have got a new kitchen out of it!

 

[Mrs Miggins]

 

[Edie]

It's a shame there isn't more damage in the kitchen as I might have got a new kitchen out of it!

Are you sure it’s still usable though?

 

[Miss-Shelf]

Actually I'd lay off cleaning soft furnishings, curtains etc until I'd given the place a really good airing and cleaned all the floors and hard surfaces. See where you are after that.

I'm never a big cleaner so it will take a while

My lodger had been brilliant considering she'd just got in her pjs to sleep off a hang over and then got evacuated in her bare feet! Luckily the neighbours rallied round and now she knows them all!

Anyway she aired and cleaned yesterday before I got back and is going to work at home to air it today and I can do same on Thursday

 

[Miss-Shelf]

Are you sure it’s still usable though?

Tbh the kitchen is just about holding itself together before this but I don't think it can be written off unless I get an ambitious company sent on behalf of insurers!

 

[danny la rouge]

Glad you’re OK!

I don’t understand insurers, but I think Geri has some knowledge.

 

[Edie]

I'm never a big cleaner so it will take a while

My lodger had been brilliant considering she'd just got in her pjs to sleep off a hang over and then got evacuated in her bare feet! Luckily the neighbours rallied round and now she knows them all!

Anyway she aired and cleaned yesterday before I got back and is going to work at home to air it today and I can do same on Thursday

Bloody hell that all sounds terrifying! Stupid idiots next door with their lights not giving a thought to the people living either side. Hope you’re both ok!

 

[Idaho]

Related story....

My SIL had a flat in Kennington years ago. A few doors down there was a trustifarian* couple with kids who had a Buddhist shrine in their lounge. The kids played with the candles one day and started a massive fire which took out their house and structurally damaged and smoke damaged all the flats on the row - even temporarily closing the co-op that was below.

All the owners and renters had to find other places to live for a few months. The trustifarians assured everyone that they would be fine as they were going to live on their grandparents estate* which had plenty of space (no apology was ever forthcoming).

When SIL moved back in, she bumped into one of the trustifarians on the walkway/balcony. The woman had just been shopping. In the top of the shopping bag was a large box of candles.

 

[Mrs Miggins]

There are few things that annoy me more than a * that doesn't then have an appropriate reference at the bottom. Fucking hell. You've even used 2 of the buggers

 

[twentythreedom]

Glad you're OK Miss-Shelf. Pain in the arse having your house stunk out like that

Could be a good opportunity for a grumpy picture of you in the local paper though House fire caused by weed farm is ideal local rag material

 

[farmerbarleymow]

There are few things that annoy me more than a * that doesn't then have an appropriate reference at the bottom. Fucking hell. You've even used 2 of the buggers

I know - I was hunting for the footnote too.

 

[clicker]

The * links to the fact their parents have a country pile I think? With ref to them being trustifarians .

Regarding smoke smell, few years back we had a candle and curtain incident, our insurance co were willing to pay for all clothes to be drycleaned etc etc...

 

[Mrs Miggins]

The * links to the fact their parents have a country pile I think?

Well that's just not how it works

 

[farmerbarleymow]

The * links to the fact their parents have a country pile I think?

No, it looks like there is a second missing footnote about this country pile. The lack of a denouement is leaving us on tenterhooks.

Come on Idaho - sort it out.

 

[clicker]

Well that's just not how it works

It did in my head , but I didn't know how it was meant to work.

 

[farmerbarleymow]

It did in my head , but I didn't know how it was meant to work.

It's very confusing - Idaho will never get a slot on Jackanory with that slapdash approach.

 

[Miss-Shelf]

Glad you're OK Miss-Shelf. Pain in the arse having your house stunk out like that

Could be a good opportunity for a grumpy picture of you in the local paper though House fire caused by weed farm is ideal local rag material

They've already tried to after I posted something on local facebook group

 

[Idaho]

The * links to the fact their parents have a country pile I think? With ref to them being trustifarians .

At least one of you has a functional brain

 

[Idaho]

There are few things that annoy me more than a * that doesn't then have an appropriate reference at the bottom. Fucking hell. You've even used 2 of the buggers

There is a good reason* for that.

*

 

[twentythreedom]

They've already tried to after I posted something on local facebook group

 We need a picture of you grumpily pointing at a bit of smoke staining or something

What did they say? You might be able to get a few quid out of them