FIRE DAMAGE CLEANING & RESTORATION

S Cox & Co - Cornwall, England, EX9

Client's Challenge

S Cox & Co required specialist fire damage cleaning to structural roof timbers following a fire incident within a large pitched roof / attic space in Cornwall.

The priority was to remove soot, smoke residues, and fire-related contamination while preserving as much of the original timber structure as possible. Salvaging the existing timbers was critical to reducing replacement costs, maintaining structural integrity, and keeping the wider restoration programme on schedule.

The client required a contractor capable of delivering a sympathetic cleaning approach, suitable for fire-damaged timber, without over-aggressive methods that could weaken or compromise the roof structure.

Assessment & Planning  

APT ICC attended site to assess:
• The extent and depth of fire and soot contamination across structural roof timbers
• The condition and integrity of the existing timber framework
• The most suitable sympathetic cleaning method for fire-damaged wood
• Safe access and working requirements within a pitched roof environment

A targeted cleaning plan was developed to maximise residue removal while protecting the timber substrate. The agreed approach focused on achieving a restoration-ready finish suitable for onward repair and reinstatement works.

    Methodology

    APT ICC delivered the works using a structured, sympathetic fire damage cleaning approach:

    1. Survey and inspection
    Detailed inspection of roof timbers to confirm contamination levels and cleaning requirements.

    2. Sympathetic blast cleaning
    Carefully selected blast cleaning methods used to lift soot and fire residues while protecting the timber substrate.

    3. Progressive cleaning delivery
    Timbers cleaned in stages to ensure controlled residue removal and consistent results.

    4. Restoration-ready finish
    Cleaning completed to a standard suitable for onward repair, treatment, and reinstatement works.

    This approach ensured effective contamination removal without unnecessary loss of original material.

    Fire Damage in Cornwall

    Site Access & Logistics

    Fire Damage in Cornwall

    Equipment
    • Specialist sympathetic blast cleaning equipment suitable for fire-damaged timber
    • Controlled delivery systems for work in roof void environments

    Chemicals
    • APT ICC in-house cleaning chemicals supplied via APT Commercial Chemicals (Specific product names were not confirmed for this project)

    The Results
    • Fire and soot residues successfully removed from structural roof timbers
    • Majority of original timbers retained and restored
    • Reduced need for extensive timber replacement
    • Roof structure left clean, stable, and restoration-ready
    • Programme timelines and costs protected

    The process delivered a strong restoration outcome, allowing S Cox & Co to progress confidently to the next stage of remedial works.