Fire Damage Boarding in South East London
Fire damage boarding in South East London is essential when a blaze, smoke incident or small kitchen fire has left your windows, doors or roof openings exposed and your property vulnerable. We help you secure empty property quickly and safely after a fire, using non-destructive methods wherever possible so you can focus on dealing with insurers and restoration.
Need urgent help securing a fire-damaged property?
Call 020 4538 1506 now for 24/7 emergency boarding up and make-safe securing across SE postcodes.
When You Need Fire Damage Boarding Up
A fire can affect anything from a single room in a flat to an entire terraced house or commercial unit. Even when the flames are out, the building is often left open to weather, trespassers and further damage.
You may need fire damage boarding in South East London if:
- Windows have cracked, shattered or been removed by the fire brigade for access or ventilation.
- External doors are burnt, forced, or no longer closing securely.
- Walls, frames or roof areas are partially damaged and exposed to the elements.
- The property will be vacant while fire investigators, loss adjusters or contractors complete their work.
- You need to secure an empty property to prevent unauthorised entry, theft or squatters.
Common scenarios we attend include:
- Residential fires in flats and houses around Lewisham, Greenwich, Peckham, Catford and Woolwich, where a kitchen fire has spread smoke and heat to windows and doors.
- Commercial fires in shops and units on high streets in places like Camberwell, Bermondsey and Southwark, where broken shopfront glass and roller shutters need immediate securing.
- Shared blocks and HMOs, where a single affected flat needs to be boarded while the rest of the building remains occupied and safe.
In all cases, our priority is to provide non-destructive securing wherever the structure allows, stabilising the building without making later repairs more difficult than they need to be.
If you’re unsure what to do after a fire, we can talk you through the first steps and explain what boarding up is and why insurers usually expect it. You can also read more about situations we handle on our general situations overview.
How We Secure Your Property After Fire Damage
We understand that immediately after a fire, you’re often tired, stressed and overwhelmed. Our job is to take control of the emergency securing calmly and clearly.
Safety First
Before we start any fire damage boarding in South East London, we:
- Confirm the building is safe to enter (following any fire service guidance).
- Avoid touching or disturbing areas that fire investigators or insurers may still need to inspect.
- Watch for hazards like loose glass, weakened frames, exposed nails, or partially burnt timbers.
If we believe an area is structurally unsafe (for example, a leaning wall or badly charred frame), we will tell you clearly and only secure what can safely be worked on. In rare cases we may recommend further structural assessment before full boarding.
Materials We Use – Plywood & OSB Boarding
For most fire-damage situations we use:
- Exterior-grade plywood or OSB, usually 11–18mm thick depending on the size of the opening and risk level.
- Solid timber bracing where needed for larger spans or compromised frames.
- Anti-tamper fixings, designed so they can’t easily be removed from outside by intruders.
Our aim is to provide strong, neat plywood boarding that is:
- Robust enough for the period the property will be empty.
- Installed in a way that respects the existing structure and future repair works.
- Suitable for insurers who want to see that the building has been properly made secure.
Non-Destructive Securing Wherever Possible
Fire can weaken frames, plaster and brickwork. We always work to a non-destructive securing approach:
- Using existing frames and structural elements where they’re still sound.
- Minimising drilling into original materials that will be repaired or restored later.
- Avoiding interference with fire investigation areas where possible.
Only where there is already significant damage, or where there’s no other way to safely secure an opening, will we use more intrusive fixings. If we have to do this, we’ll explain it on site and document it for you and your insurer.
Temporary Steel Doors & Anti-Vandal Security Screens
After fire damage, some properties need more than basic timber boarding, especially if they will be vacant for weeks or months.
We can install:
- Temporary steel doors – lockable, heavy-duty doors that replace a destroyed door leaf and frame, allowing controlled key access for surveyors, insurers and contractors.
- Steel security screens / Sitex-style screens – perforated metal panels that allow light and airflow but deter intruders and vandals, ideal for long-term vacant properties or vulnerable ground floor windows.
These medium-term solutions are particularly useful for vacant property security and damaged commercial premises. You can read more about them on our vacant property boarding page.
Fire-Damaged Roofs, Skylights and Upper Floors
Fires often damage roofs, skylights or upper storey windows. Where it is safe and appropriate, we can:
- Provide roof & skylight boarding to temporarily close holes and prevent rain ingress.
- Support with tarping or sheeting as a short-term weatherproofing measure.
- Work alongside roofers or restoration contractors where you already have someone appointed.
For more detail on how we handle higher or awkward access, visit our dedicated roof & skylight boarding service.
Why Choose Us for Fire Damage Boarding in South East London
Local, Responsive & Available 24/7
We are a local boarding up contractor covering South East London, working right across SE postcodes including SE1, SE5, SE10, SE13, SE15, SE16, SE18 and beyond. Our mobile teams operate 24/7 for emergency boarding up, so we can respond whether the fire happens in the middle of the day or the middle of the night.
We don’t promise specific arrival times, but we always:
- Dispatch from the nearest available team.
- Keep you updated on our ETA.
- Work efficiently on site so you’re not left exposed longer than necessary.
10+ Years’ Experience with Sensitive Fire Situations
With over a decade’s experience in emergency securing in South East London, we’re familiar with the practical and emotional impact of fires. Our technicians are:
- DBS-checked, so you know who is entering your home or business.
- Covered by public liability insurance for your protection.
- Trained to work sensitively around personal belongings and damaged areas.
We regularly secure:
- Private houses and flats.
- Shops, cafés, salons and small businesses.
- Managed properties for landlords, estate agents and housing providers.
You can also see what other clients have said about our work on our reviews page.
Insurance-Friendly Paperwork & Evidence
Insurers almost always want proof that you have taken reasonable steps to secure the property after a fire. We can provide:
- Time-stamped before-and-after photos of key openings and damage.
- An itemised invoice clearly showing labour, materials and call-out.
- A simple work statement summarising what we secured and why.
We also recommend you keep:
- Any police or fire brigade reference numbers.
- Contact details of your insurer and loss adjuster.
For more detail on how we support claims, see our dedicated insurance support for boarding up. Please note we are not loss adjusters or legal advisors; we simply provide clear evidence of the securing work we carry out.
What Happens Next
Once you contact us about fire damage boarding in South East London, the process is straightforward:
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Initial Call or Message
- You explain what has happened (type of property, level of fire damage, any broken windows/doors/roof).
- We answer urgent questions and explain how emergency boarding up typically works.
- If it’s out of hours, we’ll still arrange an emergency visit as required.
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On-Site Assessment
- We walk around the property with you where it is safe to do so.
- We identify all compromised entry points, windows and roof or wall openings.
- We agree priorities, especially areas that pose immediate safety or security risks.
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Securing the Property
- We install plywood or OSB boarding to broken windows and doors, with anti-tamper fixings.
- Where appropriate, we fit temporary steel doors or security screens for longer-term voids.
- We tidy as we go, removing loose glass and trip hazards from our work area.
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Handover & Paperwork
- We walk you through what has been secured.
- We take photos and prepare an invoice and brief work summary suitable for your insurer.
- We can advise on other services such as window boarding in South East London or door boarding up if additional follow-up is needed.
If you’re managing multiple properties or a commercial site, we can also discuss ongoing fire-damage and vacant property securing across your wider portfolio. Our commercial boarding up services are designed with landlords, agents and facilities managers in mind.
Fire Damage Boarding FAQs
Do you come out at night or weekends after a fire?
Yes. We offer 24/7 emergency boarding up across South East London, including nights, weekends and bank holidays. After the fire brigade leaves, you can call 020 4538 1506 and we’ll arrange prompt attendance to secure your property.
Is boarding up after a fire covered by insurance?
In many cases, insurers cover reasonable emergency securing costs, but policies vary. We can’t guarantee cover, but we will provide insurance-ready paperwork (photos, itemised invoice, brief work statement) to support your claim. For more details see our insurance support for boarding up in South East London.
Will boarding up cause more damage to my property?
We prioritise non-destructive securing wherever possible. That means we use existing frames and openings and minimise drilling into undamaged materials. Occasionally, where there is heavy structural damage or no fixing points, we may need to use more intrusive fixings, but we will always explain why and record what we’ve done.
Can you board up and handle smoke or soot clean-up?
We only provide boarding up and physical securing. We don’t carry out smoke/soot cleaning, odour treatment or full fire restoration. However, since we work with many local contractors, we can usually point you towards the type of specialist you might need once the property is secure.
How long should I keep the boards on after a fire?
This depends on how quickly your insurer, loss adjuster and contractors can proceed with repairs. Some people keep basic boarding for a few days; others need temporary steel doors or security screens for weeks or months. We can advise on short-term versus medium-term options when we see the property.
Can you secure a completely empty property that’s been damaged by fire?
Yes. We regularly secure empty properties and long-term voids after fire damage, using a mix of boarding, steel security screens and temporary steel doors. This is particularly helpful for landlords, estate agents and housing associations. You can read more about this on our vacant property boarding page.
Need help now? Call 020 4538 1506 or Email us for fast, professional fire damage boarding in South East London.
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