In Miami, house fires often start with the things people rely on during storm season: generators, candles and overworked electrical systems. Lightning, kitchen fires and high rise condo fires add to the risk. After any fire, smoke and soot travel through vents and hallways, so cleanup often reaches well beyond the room that burned.
Sifixit is a free referral service. Call the number on this page and you will be connected with an independent fire damage restoration provider that serves the Miami area, where one is available for your ZIP code. Calling costs nothing and you are never obliged to hire anyone.
Fire risks in Miami
Lightning
Florida sees more lightning than most of the country, especially during summer afternoon storms. A strike can start a fire in an attic or damage wiring.
Hurricane season outages
Long power outages after storms bring generators, candles and stored fuel into and around homes, which all raise the risk of fire.
Condo and high rise fires
In condo buildings, smoke from a fire in one unit can travel through hallways and vents into other units.
Cooking and everyday fires
Cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the United States, and kitchen fires leave greasy residue on cabinets and ceilings.
Areas across Miami
Sifixit connects callers across the city of Miami, including neighborhoods such as Brickell, Little Havana, Coconut Grove, Wynwood, Edgewater and Little River, and in nearby cities such as Coral Gables, Miami Beach, Hialeah, Doral, Kendall, North Miami and Homestead.
Sifixit does not have an office or staff in Miami. Providers you speak to are independent local businesses, and availability depends on your ZIP code and the job.
Permits and local rules
Cleanup itself does not usually need a permit, but the repairs that follow often do. Inside the city of Miami, larger drywall, electrical and plumbing repairs can require permits from the City of Miami Building Department. Homes in other cities, such as Coral Gables, Hialeah or unincorporated Miami Dade County, follow the rules of that city or county.
Florida licenses mold assessors and mold remediators through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, so ask any provider who offers mold work for their Florida license.
Seasonal risks in Miami
Do not go back inside after a fire until the fire department says it is safe. If you smell gas or see smoke, leave and call 911.
- Summer: afternoon storms bring frequent lightning.
- June to November: hurricane outages bring generator and candle risks.
- Humid months: firefighting water dries slowly, so mold can follow.
- All year: cooking stays the most common cause of home fires.
Be prepared
- Run portable generators outside, well away from doors and windows
- Use battery lights instead of candles during outages
- Test smoke alarms every month
- Know your condo building’s fire exits and alarm system
- Keep a photo record of each room for insurance
Learn more before you call
Our main fire damage restoration guide explains the warning signs, what affects the cost, what you can safely handle yourself and the questions to ask before you hire. It applies in Miami just as it does everywhere else.
Miami questions
Does homeowners insurance cover fire damage in Miami?
Most standard homeowners and condo policies cover accidental fire. In a condo, the association’s policy usually covers the building and your policy covers your unit’s interior and belongings.
Why is there water damage after a fire?
Firefighters and sprinkler systems use a lot of water. In Miami’s humidity it dries slowly, so it should be removed quickly to prevent mold.
Should I sign papers that hand my insurance claim to a contractor?
Read carefully before signing anything. Florida no longer allows assignment of benefits for homeowners policies issued since January 1, 2023. If in doubt, speak to your insurer first.
Does Sifixit have an office in Miami?
No. Sifixit is a referral service. Providers you speak to are independent local businesses that serve the Miami area.
Sifixit is a free referral service and does not provide home services. Calls may be answered by a partner call center or connected directly to independent local providers, who are solely responsible for their work, pricing, licensing and insurance.