K.B. Clarke restores Bedford townhouse complex after extensive fire damage.

After a large fire developed, affecting several units of a semi-detached housing complex located in Bedford in December, 2001, K.B. Clarke was called by three separate insurers to provide emergency restoration services and later reconstruction for each of the owners. To control the spread of flames and minimize damages, the fire department called in an excavation contractor to knock down part of the middle unit. There was a lot of water used to extinguish the flames, which created huge structural and water damage problems for the adjacent units and totally destroying the affected unit.

After the fire and investigation was completed, the first step was to arrange the completion of the dismantling and disposal of debris without further secondary damage to adjacent units. This was started after an extensive hazard assessment for worker safety and great cooperation between trades to carefully remove parts of the framing from adjacent units by hand, then use an excavator with a retractable arm to grab the debris and remove it
(see photos 1 & 2). This was completed in two days and the next step was to stabilize, insulate and waterproof the newly exposed walls of the two adjacent units to prevent freeze ups and additional water infiltration
(see photo 3).

While the securing of the exterior was being done, K.B. Clarke had simultaneous crews inside several units, inventorying, packing and moving all contents to their Dartmouth warehouse for drying, dehumidification and cleaning. The contents then remained in storage while crews started the removal of thousands of square feet of drywall, insulation, flooring, etc. at the job site. After the units were thoroughly dried, K.B. Clarke project manager Steve Hagen arranged for deodorization, smoke sealing and the reconstruction inside of the units, while Jamie Geddes, the Cleaning Manager was reviewing the condition of contents with the owners.

This went very quickly and at the same time K.B. Clarke arranged plans for reconstruction of the destroyed unit. This was then put out to tender and K.B. Clarke provided the most competitive quote for reconstruction. Before this reconstruction even started, K.B. Clarke had completed interior repairs of the adjacent units with drywall, painting and flooring replaced, all contents were returned and set up for the owners to be back in for the Christmas holidays.

After the building permit was obtained and a structural engineer confirmed stabilization of the firewalls, K.B. Clarke started reconstruction in the cold, frigid and snowy month of February. The unit was roof tight despite terrible weather by mid - March and totally completed by May 2002
(see photos 4 & 5).