Smoke and Soot Damage in a Commercial Office After a Fire – Example of Fire Restoration Needs

Commercial Fire Damage Restoration Lake County IL — First Steps for Businesses After a Fire

Sam Simon

June 24, 2025

When fire strikes your Lake County business, every moment counts. Discover how ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons delivers trusted, 24/7 commercial fire damage restoration for businesses in Lake Forest, Deerfield, Highland Park, and beyond.

When a fire strikes your business, every second counts — and every decision matters. Lake County business owners trust ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons to guide them through the chaos, provide immediate cleanup, and help them recover quickly and completely.

Whether you operate a medical office, retail store, restaurant, school, or place of worship, this guide will walk you through what to do first — and how our team can help restore your property and peace of mind.

Why Lake County Businesses Choose ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons

40+ Years of Local Expertise + National Legacy
We’re part of the nation’s oldest restoration company, founded in Chicago in 1929. With decades of service to Lake Forest, Highland Park, Deerfield, Bannockburn, Riverwoods, Lincolnshire, Libertyville, Vernon Hills, Gurnee, and surrounding communities, we understand the unique challenges your property faces.

IICRC Master-Certified Fire & Water Restorers
Our team holds the industry’s highest certifications, ensuring your business gets expert care during this critical time.

24/7 Rapid Response
We know disasters don’t wait. Neither do we. Our Lake County team is on standby day and night, ready to respond.

Insurance Claims Assistance
We work directly with your insurance carrier to minimize hassle, speed approvals, and help you focus on getting back to business.

First Steps to Take After a Fire in Your Lake County Business

Ensure Safety First
Don’t enter the building until the fire department gives the all-clear. Fire can weaken structural elements and leave dangerous hot spots.
Call ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons Immediately
The faster we respond, the more we can minimize secondary damage like smoke residue, corrosion, and water damage from firefighting efforts.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Report the loss and begin the claims process. We’ll work alongside your adjuster to document damage and assist with paperwork.
Avoid DIY Cleanup
Soot and smoke residue can spread contamination and cause further harm if not handled properly. Our team uses advanced methods to clean, deodorize, and restore materials.
Protect Your Assets
If safe, secure critical business records, electronics, or inventory. We can assist with the packout and storage of sensitive items.

Our Comprehensive Commercial Fire Damage Services

At ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, we provide:

Emergency board-up and site stabilization
Smoke, soot, and odor removal
Water extraction and drying (from firefighting efforts)
Debris removal and structural cleaning
Packout, cleaning, and storage of contents
Reconstruction and rebuild services

We proudly serve schools, churches, retail shops, offices, restaurants, medical facilities, and industrial sites across Lake County.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How soon should I call for commercial fire restoration help?
A: Immediately. Fast action helps limit damage, control costs, and speed your return to business.

Q: Will insurance cover commercial fire damage restoration?
A: Typically, yes — if the fire was sudden and accidental. We’ll help you navigate the claims process.

Q: What towns in Lake County do you serve?
A: Lake Forest, Highland Park, Deerfield, Bannockburn, Riverwoods, Lincolnshire, Libertyville, Vernon Hills, Gurnee, and surrounding areas.

About ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons

ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons is a locally owned, award-winning restoration firm with 40+ years of service in Lake County and Chicagoland. As part of the nation’s oldest restoration brand, we deliver trusted expertise, rapid response, and compassionate care. Our team includes IICRC Master Fire & Water Restorers and members of the Restoration Industry Association (RIA).

Learn More: For tips on protecting your business property, see our book: RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset, available now on Amazon.

Call Now for Trusted Commercial Fire Damage Restoration in Lake County, IL

📞 847-316-9145
🌐 ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons

Let us help your business recover — fast, professionally, and with care.

Sam Simon

Sam Simon is the Co-Owner and Managing Director of ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, a certified MBE/WBE disaster restoration and specialty cleaning firm proudly serving Cook, Lake, and DuPage Counties in Illinois. With over 30 years of experience in restoration project management, field operations, and emergency response, Sam plays a vital leadership role in overseeing service execution, technician development, reconstruction, and subcontractor coordination.

He holds the IICRC’s highest technical designation as a Master Fire & Water Restorer, a distinction achieved by fewer than 1% of professionals in the restoration industry. His technical scope includes water and flood damage restoration, fire and smoke recovery, mold remediation, and post-disaster reconstruction across both residential and commercial sectors.

Sam has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to helping communities in crisis. He has participated in large-scale disaster recovery efforts across the U.S., providing boots-on-the-ground leadership during Hurricanes Katrina, Sandy, and Harvey, as well as catastrophic floods, wildfires, and deep freeze events throughout Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, Texas, and beyond. His dedication to serving distressed families and businesses in the wake of national catastrophes reflects both his personal values and ServiceMaster’s mission of restoring peace of mind.

In 2019, Sam was selected for the HACIA Contractor Training Program, a competitive six-month construction management cohort offered by the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association. The program delivers intensive instruction in blueprint reading, estimating, project management, and construction law—skills that support the company’s continued growth in emergency build-back and general contracting services.

Before co-founding ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, Sam built a successful creative career under the name Sam Zabadneh, contributing to notable film and television productions including Chicago Fire (2012), Juvies (2007), and Image Union (1978). His media and videography background continues to shape ServiceMaster’s marketing strategy, digital training resources, and brand storytelling.
→ IMDb Profile

Sam is also the co-author of RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset—a practical guidebook for homeowners navigating the challenges of water, fire, and mold damage.

Under the direction of majority owner and President & CEO Nasutsa Mabwa, and with Sam’s operational leadership, ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons has earned numerous regional and national accolades, including:

Subscribe now for expert tips, rapid-response insights, and restoration guidance delivered straight to your inbox. Whether you’re recovering from fire, water, or mold damage, stay prepared with advice from the trusted pros at ServiceMaster Restoration by Simons.