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HERRIMAN — Parts of Herriman went up in flames Friday, but now, the clean-up effort is underway. The biggest problem for many residents is something they didn't plan for.
A melted fence likely saved several homes in this Herriman cul-de-sac, but you can still tell there was a big blaze when you go inside.
"Their big thing is it stinks really bad," said Naomi Fisch, an estimator for Utah Disaster Cleanup. She has no problem finding the source of the smoky odor: Soot that covers everything inside.
"You can see this on the blinds," she said. It's also on counters, cabinets and any surface - everywhere, in short.
To get rid of the smell, the entire home and all of its contents need to be cleaned.
"Cleaning the entire structure, all the flat surfaces. I'm thinking we're going to have to go through and have a (vacuum) down the walls and wet wipe all the flat surfaces, clean upholstery," Fisch said. "The soot has gotten into the cabinets in the kitchen, so all the cabinets are gonna have to be emptied, the dishes washed."
Even the electronics will have to be cleaned. It will take a week and the total cost for cleaning the home will be more than $10,000, but in this case insurance will pay.
Two houses down, Becky Garby's house has no odor. But she had only 15 minutes to pack her family's things like important documents. Still, she forgot her glasses and a wedding album. She says to be prepared for the next time, she'll have a 72 hour kit and all her must have valuables ready to go.
"If I have to get everything, I'll have all my7 photo albums, paper, all in one spot that you can just take them and go," Garby said.
