Fire & smoke damage · Emergency service
Fire & Smoke Damage in New Orleans, LA
Fire damage restoration covers securing the property, removing water from firefighting, cleaning soot from surfaces and contents, removing smoke odor, and rebuilding what burned. Smoke spreads far beyond the flames, so most of the work is cleaning.

Fire & Smoke Damage in New Orleans: local conditions
Partner coverage for fire and smoke damage in New Orleans currently includes 58 ZIP codes: 70112, 70113, 70114, 70115, 70116, 70117, 70118, 70119, 70121, 70122, 70123, 70124, 70125, 70126, 70127, 70128, 70129, 70130, 70131, 70139, 70142, 70145, 70146, 70148, 70150, 70151, 70152, 70153, 70154, 70156, 70157, 70158, 70159, 70160, 70161, 70162, 70163, 70164, 70165, 70166, 70167, 70170, 70172, 70174, 70175, 70176, 70177, 70178, 70179, 70181, 70182, 70184, 70185, 70186, 70187, 70189, 70190, 70195. If your ZIP is on this list, a call connects you with a company that serves it.
Raised homes on piers flood differently than slab homes, and older wood-frame houses have plaster walls and original cypress framing.
Licensing in Louisiana: Louisiana licenses mold remediation through the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC), and residential contractors on jobs over a set threshold through the same board. Verify licenses on the LSLBC website.
What you can expect
- One call connects you with an independent restoration company that serves your ZIP code.
- Fast call-back during business hours
- Serving New Orleans, LA
- Photo and moisture documentation for insurance
Fire & Smoke Damage at a glance
- Category
- Fire & smoke damage
- Emergency service
- Yes, call for fastest response
- Typical first step
- Secure the property
- Area
- New Orleans, LA
Other risks in New Orleans
Street flooding from heavy rain
Intense rain can overwhelm the drainage pumps, flooding streets and low homes, as in the August 2017 floods.
Hurricanes
Surge, wind and long power outages from Gulf hurricanes damage homes and leave them without AC.
Humidity and mold
Mold grows fast in the heat and humidity after any water loss.
Subsidence and foundations
Much of New Orleans is slowly sinking, which shifts foundations and cracks pipes, especially in homes on slabs in former marshland neighborhoods.
Signs you need fire & smoke damage
- Black or gray film on walls, ceilings and windows
- Smoke odor that returns on warm or humid days
- Water damage from firefighting
How the work is done
Secure the property, then Remove water, then Clean soot and smoke, then Remove odor, then Restore and rebuild. See the full fire & smoke damage process.
What affects the cost
Prices depend on the job, so restoration companies in New Orleans quote after an assessment. The main drivers are how much area is affected, how long it stayed wet, and what has to be removed or rebuilt. See the full list of fire & smoke damage cost factors.
Fire & Smoke Damage questions
Do New Orleans mold companies need a license?
Yes. The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors issues mold remediation licenses.
Do I need flood insurance in New Orleans?
Yes, strongly recommended. Much of the city is below sea level, and homeowners policies exclude flood.
Can I clean soot myself?
Light dry soot in a small area sometimes can be, but wiping often smears it deeper. Larger areas, oily soot and anything involving odor are best left to professionals with the right cleaning methods.
Does homeowners insurance cover smoke damage from a wildfire?
Usually yes, even if the fire didn't reach your home. Document the damage, including ash and odor, and report it to your insurer quickly.
Other services in New Orleans
Fire & Smoke Damage in nearby cities
More about water and storm damage in New Orleans, or see fire & smoke damage nationwide.
Related services

Fire damage restoration
Fire damage restoration secures the property, removes debris, cleans soot from surfaces and contents, removes smoke odor, dries water left by firefighting, and repairs the structure.
Learn more
Smoke odor removal
Smoke odor removal works by cleaning the residue that causes the smell, then neutralizing what's left with thermal fogging, hydroxyl generators or ozone, and sealing surfaces that still hold odor.
Learn more
Soot cleanup
Soot cleanup removes the oily or dry carbon residue left by fire, furnace puffbacks or candles, using dry chemical sponges and HEPA vacuums before any wet cleaning.
Learn moreWater, mold or fire damage? Get the right crew on it.
One call connects you with an independent restoration company that serves your ZIP code. Fast call-back during business hours.
