A Cortland family experienced a chimney fire in November, leaving their entire home covered in a fine coating of chemicals. Chimeny fires can sometimes be extinquished quickly, causing little or no damage to the home. However, this particular fire was very difficult to put out, leaving firefighters no choice but continue spraying their fire retardant chemicals on it until it gave up.

In an attempt to vent the home, all the windows in the home were opened, including the upstairs. This tactic backfired as the air movement carried the fine chemicals throughout the home, settling on every exposed surface, including the air ducts.

Everything from books, clothing and electronics to stuffed animals throughout the home were coated. The insureds' agents put them in touch with Stanley Steemer to clean up the collosal mess. Hand cleaning every surface in the home, a team of technicians spent four days carefully HEPA vacumming and wiping down all surfaces. This was followed by steam cleaning the carpets and furniture and lastly cleaning the air ducts throughout the home.