Logan Square Fire Restoration: Real Case, Expert Response, and 9 Tips to Prevent Dryer Fires

Sam Simon

September 15, 2025

A common dryer-vent fire caused extensive smoke and soot damage in a Logan Square home. See exactly how our IICRC-certified team restored the property—and use our 9 expert tips to prevent dryer fires in Chicago’s vintage and multi-unit buildings.

A Real Logan Square Case: What Happened

A stackable laundry unit ignited due to heavy lint buildup and a long, kinked vent run—common in vintage and rehabbed multi-unit buildings. No one was hurt, but the home sustained heavy soot, persistent smoke odor, and HVAC contamination.

Our Certified Restoration Response

Emergency assessment & containment to protect clean rooms
Soot removal on walls, ceilings, trim, and flooring using HEPA vacuuming and alkaline cleaners
Soft-goods & contents cleaning/pack-out with barcoded inventory tracking
Laundry & textile restoration (specialized smoke protocols)
HVAC decontamination: clean returns/supplies and replace filters
Odor neutralization (hydroxyl and/or ozone, as appropriate)
Reconstruction/paint where heat or soot etching required replacement
Insurance documentation: photos, estimates, and scope notes for smooth claims

Need help now?

Fire Damage Restoration: https://servicemaster-restorationbysimons.com/restoration-services/residential/fire
Specialty Cleaning (contents • odor • HEPA): https://servicemaster-restorationbysimons.com/restoration-services/residential/specialty
Water Damage Restoration (after firefighting water): https://servicemaster-restorationbysimons.com/restoration-services/residential/water
Mold Remediation (post-water secondary): https://servicemaster-restorationbysimons.com/restoration-services/residential/mold

Why Dryer Fires Happen (Especially in Chicago)

Long/hidden vent runs in vintage flats and condos
Flexible plastic/foil ducts that sag and trap lint
Infrequent vent cleaning (HOA/landlord gaps)
Restricted exterior hoods (painted shut, nests, lint mats, winter frost)
High-heat cycles on synthetic or rubber-backed items

9 Tips to Prevent Dryer Fires

Clean the lint filter every load. Replace damaged screens.
Use rigid or semi-rigid metal ducting (UL-listed); avoid plastic/foil accordion ducts.
Keep the run short and straight. Each elbow counts against allowable length; support long runs to prevent bellies.
Deep-clean the entire vent path (appliance → wall → exterior) at least annually; multi-unit buildings often need every 6–12 months.
Clear the area around the dryer of dust and combustibles.
Do not machine-dry solvent-exposed items (gasoline, stains, finishes); line-dry after multiple washes.
Watch the signals: longer cycles, unusually hot clothes, acrid/burnt smells, lint around the door or exterior hood.
Be present while drying. Don’t run overnight or when away.
Inspect the exterior hood—the flap should open freely and not be blocked.

If a Dryer Fire Starts: Quick Safety Checklist

Cut power or gas only if it’s safe.
Close the laundry door to choke oxygen.
Evacuate and call 911.
Do not restart HVAC; it can spread soot.
Call an IICRC-certified restorer for soot cleanup, odor control, HVAC decon, and insurance documentation.

Special Considerations for Condos & Multi-Unit Buildings

Coordinate with HOA/management—vents may share shafts.
Establish a building-wide vent cleaning schedule and keep receipts/logs.
After any fire, inspect adjacent units/shafts for soot migration.
Expect stricter rules on work hours, elevator use, containment, and clearance.

Service Areas

We serve Logan Square and nearby neighborhoods—Humboldt Park, Bucktown, Avondale, Wicker Park, Lincoln Square, Albany Park—plus the greater Chicago, North Shore, and Lake County region.

Expanded FAQs: Dryer Fires & Fire Restoration in Chicago

How common are dryer fires in Chicago—and why here?
More common than most realize. Chicago’s vintage flats, garden units, and condo rehabs often have long, kinked, or concealed vent runs. Combine that with flexible foil ducts, infrequent vent cleaning, and winter’s dry air/static, and lint can smolder or ignite—spreading fine soot throughout the property even when flames are brief.

What are the earliest warning signs that my vent needs cleaning?

Clothes take longer to dry or feel very hot after a normal cycle
Laundry room feels excessively warm or smells acrid/burnt
Lint debris around the door gasket, behind the unit, or at the exterior hood
Exterior flap doesn’t open fully during a cycle
Dryer trips a thermal fuse or shuts down mid-cycle
If you notice any of these, stop using the dryer and schedule a cleaning/inspection.

How often should dryer vents be cleaned?

Single-family homes: at least annually (more often for big households or pets)
Condos/multi-unit/long runs: every 6–12 months; document service for the HOA
Immediately after remodeling, moving laundry locations, or replacing the dryer

What ducting is safest—and what should I avoid?
Use rigid or semi-rigid metal ducting for the full vent path. Avoid plastic/foil accordion ducts that sag and trap lint. Keep runs short and straight with supported elbows, and follow your dryer manufacturer’s venting specs (each elbow reduces allowable length).

Are dryer vent booster fans okay?
They can help on long runs if your appliance manufacturer and local rules allow. Choose pressure-sensing models, have them professionally installed, and maintain them—dirty boosters become lint traps. Always verify HOA/building policies first.

Is an indoor lint trap/recirculating kit a good idea?
Generally no, especially for gas dryers. They add heat and moisture to the space and can elevate combustion/CO and humidity risks. Vent outdoors whenever possible and comply with local code.

If a dryer fire happens, what should I do first?

Cut power/gas only if safe. 2) Shut the laundry door to limit oxygen. 3) Evacuate; call 911. 4) Don’t run HVAC—it spreads soot. 5) Call an IICRC-certified restorer for soot/odor/HVAC cleaning and insurance documentation.
• Start here: Fire Damage Restoration — https://servicemaster-restorationbysimons.com/restoration-services/residential/fire

What items are usually not salvageable after a dryer fire?

Melted/burned plastics, scorched synthetics, charred particleboard
Porous items with heavy soot/odor in foams/seams (some can be saved, not all)
Burned electrical items with heat damage
Many textiles, rugs, and contents are recoverable with professional processes (HEPA, ultrasonic, specialized textile cleaning, targeted deodorization).
• Contents & odor help: Specialty Cleaning — https://servicemaster-restorationbysimons.com/restoration-services/residential/specialty

How do pros actually remove smoke odor?
We layer methods based on materials and soot type:

Source removal first: HEPA vacuuming, dry sponge, alkaline/enzymatic cleaning
HVAC decon: clean returns/supplies; swap filters
Odor neutralization: hydroxyl and/or ozone as appropriate
Sealing/encapsulation for stubborn substrates (raw wood, masonry)
You can’t deodorize soot you haven’t removed.

Do I need HVAC cleaning after a localized dryer fire?
Usually yes. Even a small event can contaminate returns and circulate fine soot. We inspect, clean ducts as needed, replace filters, and protect the system during restoration.

What if the fire was extinguished with water or sprinklers?
Treat it as fire + water. Water in cavities can cause secondary damage and mold within 24–48 hours. We extract, dry to dry-standard, and control humidity while performing soot/odor work.
• Water help: Water Damage Restoration — https://servicemaster-restorationbysimons.com/restoration-services/residential/water
• Mold follow-up: Mold Remediation — https://servicemaster-restorationbysimons.com/restoration-services/residential/mold

How does this differ in condos and multi-unit buildings?

Work with HOA/management—vents may share shafts
Set a documented vent-cleaning schedule building-wide
After any fire, inspect adjacent units/shafts for soot spread
Expect stricter rules on containment, elevators, and work windows

Will insurance cover a dryer fire and cleanup?
Most policies cover sudden and accidental fire losses, including smoke cleanup and often Additional Living Expense (ALE) if you must relocate. Coverage depends on fast mitigation and documentation (photos, inventories, invoices, estimates). We coordinate with carriers daily and can streamline your claim.

What can I do today to reduce risk without tools?

Clean the lint filter every load; wipe the door gasket
Pull the unit forward and vacuum behind/under quarterly
Watch the exterior hood during a cycle—flap should open fully
Avoid high heat for synthetics or rubber-backed items
Be home while the dryer runs; never overnight or while away

How do I choose the right restoration partner?
Look for:

An IICRC-certified firm/techs; written scope including soot/odor + HVAC steps
Experience with insurance documentation and Chicago building types
Capability for contents pack-out, textile restoration, and odor treatment
Clear daily updates and post-clearance odor checks

About ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons

IICRC-Certified Firm, family-run, serving Chicago & suburbs for 40+ years
2025 Inc. 5000 honoree, BBB Torch Award, Chicago Star Award, Stevie® Award
Members: Restoration Industry Association (RIA)
Leaders: Nasutsa Mabwa (CEO), Sam Simon (IICRC Master Fire & Water Restorer)
We literally wrote the book: RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset — https://www.amazon.com/dp/1952779529

24/7 Help: Chicago (773) 376-1110 • North Shore/Lake County (847) 316-9145 • Oak Park/River Forest (708) 524-0304

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, 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:

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