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Yes, mineral spirits are flammable and may spontaneously combust at temperatures of 200 degrees F or more. Storing them in well-ventilated spaces and disposing of them the proper way are the best ways to prevent mineral spirits or anything contaminated with them, like towels and rags, from going up in smoke.

The first step in fire damage restoration is having a pro come in right away to help control moisture (if authorities used water to extinguish a fire at your home). Skipping moisture removal puts your home at risk for invasive mold and rot that can cause added property damage and health issues. Once you have the bulk of the water out, you’ll need to run blower fans for 24 to 72 hours to remove moisture.

In many cases, professionals can completely remove certain types of smoke damage from walls and ceilings, but it’s only possible if the damage is minor. For more extensive damage from major fires, you’ll likely need to replace the damaged materials entirely. Some items, like upholstered furniture, are much trickier to clean and might need to be replaced even if the smoke damage is minimal.

Pricing a fire-damaged house is tricky, and it’s best to involve some professionals. First, get a comprehensive repair estimate from a fire damage restoration expert. Next, have a real estate agent get you an as-repaired value for the home, which represents what the house would be worth if fully repaired. Subtract the repair estimate from the as-repaired value to get the as-is value.