Fire Recovery Case Study: From Disaster to Dream Home in Ellenwood, GA

We got the call around 10 PM on a Thursday. A kitchen fire had just been extinguished at a home in Ellenwood, and the homeowner was standing outside, watching smoke still drift from the windows. It's the kind of call that makes your chest tighten, because you know what's waiting inside. Fire doesn't just burn what it touches. It travels through walls, seeps into every corner, and leaves behind a mess that's hard to comprehend until you see it yourself.

When our team arrived the next morning, the scope was immediately clear. This wasn't just a kitchen problem. At The Homestar Group, we've handled plenty of fire damage restoration in Conyers and throughout the Atlanta metro area, and this one checked all the boxes: structural damage, heavy smoke residue, soot on every surface, and that acrid smell that clings to everything. The family couldn't stay in the home. They'd already packed a few bags and were bunking with relatives, unsure when, or if, they'd be able to come back.

The Damage Was Everywhere

Walking through the house, it was obvious the fire had done more than torch the kitchen. The ceiling joists were exposed in multiple rooms, drywall had been torn out during the firefighting effort, and insulation hung down like old cobwebs. The living room, dining area, hallway, and even the upstairs bedrooms all showed signs of smoke infiltration. Soot coated the walls, and you could see where the heat had warped trim and discolored paint.

The kitchen itself was gutted. Cabinets were charred, appliances were toast, and the flooring was a mix of burned tile and concrete subfloor. But honestly, the kitchen was the least of our concerns at that point. The real challenge was going to be the restoration work throughout the rest of the house, making sure we addressed hidden damage and didn't just cover up problems that would resurface later.

Starting with Structure and Safety

Before we could think about drywall or paint, we needed to stabilize the structure. Our first step was a full assessment to document every affected area, which is critical when working with insurance companies. We coordinated directly with the homeowner's insurer to make sure everything was covered and approved before we started demo.

Then came the teardown. We removed damaged ceiling materials, pulled out compromised insulation, and stripped walls down to the studs in the most affected areas. According to the IICRC standards for fire restoration , you can't skip this step. Smoke and soot particles embed themselves in porous materials, and if you don't remove them completely, the odor and contamination will linger forever.

We also handled all the debris removal and waste disposal, which is no small feat when you're gutting multiple rooms. The family didn't have to worry about dumpsters, hauling, or cleanup. We took care of it all.

Cleaning What Could Be Saved

Not everything had to go. The stone fireplace in the main living area, for example, was a beautiful feature the homeowners loved. It was covered in soot, but the structure itself was solid. We brought in specialized cleaning equipment to treat the stone without damaging it, using techniques designed specifically for smoke and soot removal.

The same went for the home's wood trim and some of the flooring in areas that hadn't been directly impacted. Where possible, we cleaned and restored instead of replacing. It saved money, preserved the home's character, and honestly, it's just the right way to do the job.

Rebuilding Room by Room

Once the structure was secure and cleaned, reconstruction began. This is where the project shifted from disaster recovery to something that started to look like a home again.

Living Areas

We installed new drywall, taped and mudded seams, then primed and painted. The ceilings got a fresh coat, and we added new recessed lighting to modernize the space. New luxury vinyl plank flooring went down in the main living room and dining area, giving the home a clean, cohesive look. The stone fireplace, now spotless, became the centerpiece again.

Kitchen

This was a complete overhaul. New white shaker-style cabinets, stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops, and a subway tile backsplash. We kept the layout functional but updated every surface. The result was a bright, modern kitchen that felt brand new.

Hallways and Bedrooms

Upstairs, we replaced carpeting, patched and painted walls, and made sure every detail was dialed in. New ceiling fans, fresh paint, and clean lines throughout. Even the small bedroom that had been used for storage got a full refresh.

Sunroom

This space had vaulted ceilings with exposed beams, which added character but also meant more surface area affected by smoke. We cleaned the beams, sealed them, and refinished the space so it could be used again without any lingering odor or discoloration.