Commercial Office Building Fire & Smoke Damage in Easton, M

Project Overview

Date: December 2024
Location: Easton, MD
Project Type: Commercial fire loss caused by an electrical malfunction in a rooftop air conditioning unit

The Call

Capital Property Recovery was contacted following fire and smoke damage at a two-story commercial office building in Easton, MD. The fire originated from an electrical malfunction in a rooftop air conditioning unit.

Areas Affected:
Rooftop and multiple offices throughout the building.

Other Important Factors:
Capital Property Recovery arrived quickly to secure the building and begin mitigation, helping minimize secondary damage caused by water and smoke.

The Challenge

The building owner contacted Capital Property Recovery after a fire occurred at the commercial office building. Upon arrival, the team identified a burned rooftop AC unit, charred roof decking surrounding the unit, and smoke residue throughout the building.

Wet ceiling tiles and insulation were also present, along with water damage affecting drywall, flooring, and office furniture. A strong smoke odor had spread throughout occupied areas of the building.

Emergency services began immediately, including moisture mapping throughout the building, water extraction, and the installation of commercial dehumidifiers and air movers. Detailed documentation was also started for the property’s insurance carrier.

Affected Areas

• Rooftop HVAC Unit: Point of origin of the fire.
• Roof: Roof membrane and decking surrounding the affected HVAC unit.
• Mechanical Room: Areas impacted by fire, smoke, and water damage.
• Hallways: Areas affected by smoke migration.
• Individual Offices: Offices located beneath and surrounding the fire area.
• HVAC Ductwork: Ductwork throughout the building exposed to smoke and soot.
• Office Furniture & Equipment: Furniture, computers, and equipment exposed to smoke residue.
• Contents & Documents: Items requiring professional cleaning or pack-out.

The Solution

Immediate Response

Capital Property Recovery arrived within 30 minutes to assess and document the fire, smoke, and water damage. The team established moisture readings throughout the building to determine the extent of water intrusion and begin the mitigation process.

Restoration Process

• Water Removal: Removed standing water using commercial extraction equipment.
• Structural Mitigation: Installed high-capacity dehumidifiers and air movers. Unsalvageable contents and charred building materials were carefully removed.
• Drying & Humidifying: HEPA vacuumed all structural surfaces and dry sponge cleaned smoke residue. Applied alkaline cleaners to remove soot. Performed thermal fogging and hydroxyl treatment to reduce smoke odor. Continued structural drying and monitored moisture levels daily.
• Project Coordination: Capital Property Recovery managed all aspects of the fire and smoke mitigation process while coordinating with the insurance company on a daily basis. Proper containment was established to help prevent cross-contamination.

Results & Client Satisfaction

“Capital Property Recovery exceeded our expectations after our office building experienced a fire caused by a faulty air conditioning unit. Their team responded immediately, explained every step of the restoration process, and worked directly with our insurance company to make everything as stress-free as possible.

The building was cleaned, dried, and restored faster than we expected. The smoke odor was completely eliminated! Thanks to Tony and his expertise, we were able to reopen our business with little downtime.

We highly recommend Capital Property Recovery to anyone in need of fire mitigation.”

— Bill & Mary Williams, Owners

Key Success Factors

• Immediate Emergency Response: Arrived within 30 minutes and began rapid building stabilization.
• Insurance Expertise: Coordinated with the insurance company and adjusters throughout the claims and restoration process.
• Proper Smoke & Soot Remediation: Used HEPA vacuuming and specialized cleaning techniques to address smoke and soot residue.
• Commercial Restoration: Addressed fire, smoke, soot, odor, and water damage throughout the two-story commercial property.
• Reduced Business Downtime: Efficient mitigation and restoration helped the business reopen with minimal disruption.

Commercial Fire Damage Restoration in Easton, MD

Commercial fires can cause damage far beyond the immediate point of origin. Smoke and soot can migrate throughout a building, while water used during firefighting efforts can affect ceilings, drywall, flooring, furniture, equipment, and other structural materials.

Capital Property Recovery provides professional fire damage restoration in Easton, MD, including emergency water extraction, structural drying, smoke and soot cleanup, odor removal, contents cleaning, and coordination with insurance carriers.

When fire, smoke, soot, or firefighting water damages a commercial property, a rapid response can help limit secondary damage and reduce business downtime.