How To Clean Up After A Kitchen Fire

• What are the main causes of a fire in the kitchen?
• What you should do after a fire
• How to clean up after a fire
• How to prevent kitchen fire
• Get in touch

Fire damage in your kitchen must be cleaned up thoroughly and quickly to make your property safe again and minimise further damage to your possessions. It is recommended you always bring in fire restoration professionals as soon as possible. 

Here at ICE Cleaning, we offer our comprehensive fire damage cleaning services nationwide. Our technicians can remove soot and ash, collect waste, and neutralise any lingering odours. In an emergency, they can be on site within several hours. 

Keep reading to find out more about how to clean up following a fire in your kitchen. 

What are the main causes of a fire in the kitchen?

Kitchen fires can start for a number of reasons. One major cause is unattended cooking. When we are distracted, heat from cookers or ovens can quickly turn food into fuel for flames.

Another key factor in many kitchen blazes is flammable objects near the cooker like tea towels, wooden utensils, or even paper packaging. These items catch fire easily if they get too hot.

A third common source involves electrical faults with appliances such as microwaves and dishwashers. This could be due to worn out wiring, overloading sockets, or simply using faulty equipment which may lead to sparks igniting nearby materials.

Fat fryer mishaps also make up a significant percentage of kitchen conflagrations. Overheating oil in deep fat fryers often leads to sudden ignition – especially when water comes into contact with the oil. You can find out more about the most common fire hazards in kitchens in this blog. 

What you should do after a fire

If a fire breaks out in your kitchen, take immediate action. Evacuate the building at once and ensure everyone is safe. Next, dial 999.

Once the fire brigade has extinguished the blaze and it's safe to return inside, assess any damage done. It's crucial not to touch anything as soot and smoke can cause harm if touched, inhaled, or ingested.

Contacting your insurance company should be next on your list. They will need detailed information about what happened so they can process any claims efficiently. Then, contact a specialist cleaning company, like ICE Cleaning, to restore the fire damage. You can learn more about what to do following a fire here. 

How to clean up after a fire

Kitchen fire clean up is dangerous, complex, and should always be left to the professionals. You should not attempt to clean up fire damage yourself unless you are trained in fire restoration, and have the personal protective equipment (PPE), specialist tools, and cleaning agents to do so. 

The first step professional cleaners will take is assessing the damage. They need to find out how far the soot, smoke, and water have travelled. Professionals will use specialist equipment like thermal foggers for this.

Next, they will deep-clean all the surfaces impacted by the fire including walls, ceilings, and floors using specific products that can handle the stubborn, greasy soot without causing more harm. 

The next stage consists of deodorising lingering smells from the fire. Professional services will neutralise these smells completely rather than merely masking them with fragrances as DIY efforts often do.

How to prevent kitchen fire

Firstly, never leave cooking unattended. Always keep an eye on the stove or oven while you cook. 

Cleanliness also plays a big role in fire prevention. Grease build up and food debris not only impacts your food’s taste but can catch fire if it gets too hot. Regular cleaning, particularly around hobs and ovens, helps minimise this danger.

You should always be mindful when using flammable materials near open flames or heat sources, too. This includes dishcloths, paper towels, curtains or even loose clothing which could catch alight if they come into contact with a flame.

To prevent electrical accidents from sparking disaster, regular maintenance checks on your appliances are vital. Look out for frayed cords and broken plugs while cleaning around these devices, and have them replaced or repaired as soon as possible.

Despite your best efforts, it's wise to be prepared for a kitchen fire. Having a fire extinguisher at hand and knowing how to use it can make all the difference in those crucial first moments.

Get in touch

Our technicians have many years of experience removing fire damage from domestic and commercial properties. They have access to industry-leading tools and can quickly restore your home as close to its previous condition as possible. We operate 24/7, 365 days a year, including bank holidays. 

We can provide a wide range of other services that you may require after a fire including mould remediation, too. 

Contact our team today on 0208 066 0360 or at enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk to find out more about our fire restoration services. We can also provide you with a free site survey and no-obligation quote.