
Fireplace Fire Damage Restoration in Chicago

Sam Simon
January 30, 2015The bitter cold of January in the Midwest can be downright brutal. Frigid below zero mornings can tempt just about everyone to stoke the fireplace even though they'll be leaving for work shortly. This can be quite dangerous. Many people are rushed in the morning and they forget about to reduce the heat of their fireplace before leaving. The next thing they know, they need to call ServiceMaster Restoration by Simons for
fire damage repair in Chicago, IL
.
You never want to leave a wood fireplace unattended. It may seem odd that anyone would, but when you wake up and your home is freezing, your main concern may be getting warm by any means necessary. This includes starting up a few logs so the house warms while you are in the shower. After a cup of coffee and a bit of breakfast, you hurriedly get your stuff together and head out the door. The next thing you know you're half way to work and suddenly remember those logs are still burning in the fireplace.
While most fireplaces will properly seal in the flames, occasional embers and sparks can escape, and at the very least, melt or burn anything nearby. The best thing you can do to avoid needing fire damage repair services is to make sure you never leave the fireplace unattended. It only takes one spark to start a fire, and the dry interior of your home provides ideal conditions for a fire to quickly get out of hand.
Make sure you are properly monitoring your wood fireplace when it is lit. It only takes one spark to cause catastrophic fire damage. If you find yourself the victim of fire damage,
call ServiceMaster Restoration by Simons
for all your fire damage repair in Chicago, IL.
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
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.
Restoration and Recovery Tips
Get Help Now
Stop fire, water, and mold damage before it spreads! Call us day or night to restore your home or business—we’ll Get You Back to Normal, FAST!™

