Professional Cleanup and Restoration of Fire Damaged Properties in Monroe

12/2/2020 (Permalink)

Do you need fire restoration needs? Call SERVPRO for the restoration needed for your property.

SERVPRO Avails Enough Resources to Help Restore Monroe Residences Damaged by Fire

Monroe, which is tucked away at the northern edge of Louisiana, is readily accessible through the I-20 highway or the Union Pacific railroad. The Monroe Regional Airport is about 15 minutes from the downtown area, completing the transport infrastructure for people visiting or leaving the area. The situation was different when French pioneers established a trading post in 1791 since boat travel through the river was the most convenient means of transport. The area was generally known as the Prairie of Canoes. Monroe was chosen after a steamboat, The James Monroe, reached the area in 1819, underpinning the importance of river travel at the time.

Over the years, Monroe has gained popularity for various reasons, including the abundance of natural gas in the early 1900s. A discovery well was drilled in 1916, although at the time, there was little use for the resource apart from lighting flambeaux to illuminate the paths of night travelers. The shadow-casting lighting method led to the wastage of the precious commodity that would have served the state for over sixty years. A gas pool was developed stretching over 500 square miles. It was estimated to contain approximately 6.5 trillion cubic feet of gas, earning the city the title of the World's natural gas capital. However, in Texas, the Panhandle Pool discovered in 1918 dwarfed the Monroe pool since it covered over 1.35 million acres. 

The city also played an essential role in the development of other popular things such as:

• The bottling and franchised distribution of soda. Although Coca-Cola was created in Atlanta by Dr. John S. Permberton in 1886, it was only available as a fountain drink. Joseph Biedenharn, who was already bottling soda water, thought of doing the same with Coca-Cola, obtained a franchise, and later bought a bottling plant in Monroe to ramp up production.
• The Biedenharn family is also associated with the development of largescale crop-dusting. In 1925 they bought an existing business and added 18 planes to the fleet, making it the largest in the private sector. That business evolved to Delta Air Lines.

Places of Interest in Monroe

For a city with a couple of historic contributions to various aspects of development, one can expect to find an infrastructural footprint. Some of the exciting locations that fit this bill and welcome visitors include:

• The Masur Museum of Art, a Tudor style family house designed by Clarence Edward Slagle. It was completed in 1914, and The Masur's acquired the house during The Great Depression and donated it to the city in 1963 under the agreement that it becomes a museum of fine art.
• The Chennault Aviation & Military Museum honors all veterans and soldiers from WWI to Iraqi freedom and tells the story of how a crop-dusting business evolved to become an established commercial airline. The museum is set up in the only remaining class of the Selman Field Navigation School, which was the most prominent navigation school in the United States during World War Two. There are over 11,000 artifacts at the facility, including restored aircraft. 
• The Biedenharn Museum & Gardens keeps the story of Joe Biedenharn, the Coca-Cola bottler, alive. It is located next to the Ouachita River and features Coca-Cola memorabilia in the museum section. There is also a bible museum section that features biblical literature and a collection of bibles. The ELsong botanical garden has various settings, including the Musical Grotto, Four Seasons Garden, and Oriental Garden.

Visitors might also enjoy spending time at the Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo, an 80-acre zoological park with over 500 animals. Some of the top activity areas at the park include boat rides down the river, a petting zoo, and a splash pad for kids. 

The Great Fire of 1871

Even with its steady development, Monroe has also had some significant setbacks. On December 31st, 1871, a major fire incident happened and was not extinguished until New Year's Day 1872. The fire affected the town's wealthiest section, burning over 60 buildings resulting in over $650,000 worth of property damage. The fire, which was discovered at 11 PM, started in the upper story at the S.W. Sanders Saloon and spread quickly to other buildings in the area because of strong winds that were blowing that night. Incidentally, the more infamous Chicago fire also happened in 1871, affecting many areas, including a street named Monroe. 

Another fire that started in a backroom store at the corner of Hart and Desiard streets ravaged the city in March 1882. During those days, the fire engine was horse-drawn, and an unruly horse delayed arrival at the loss site by several minutes even though the alarm had been raised in time. However, the fire was contained in time, resulting in damages estimated at $32,000. The fires prompted the establishment of a robust fire department, starting with a volunteer group of neighbors, which later developed into the modern firefighting department.

How Does SERVPRO Help with Fire Damage Restoration in Monroe Properties?

As firefighting methods have improved over the years, the same has happened with fire restoration techniques. SERVPRO is one of the premier restoration companies that keeps up with the changing trends to guarantee Monroe property owners the best chances of restoring properties to their preloss state.

Restoration of fire-damaged properties mostly involves cleaning affected materials since it is the most cost-effective solution, unlike replacement or resurfacing. SERVPRO technicians undergo regular training and IICRC certification to ensure they are acquainted with the correct cleaning approaches for maximum effectiveness and safety of the occupants. Our technicians pay attention to various aspects like:

• Tracing the spread patterns of soot and other residues to ensure the cleaning effort reaches all affected areas
• The use of readily biodegradable cleaning products, ensuring the home is safe for the occupants after the cleaning process is over.
• Correct moisture management during cleaning to avoid over saturation of materials or retention of moisture with the building 

SERVPRO of Monroe / West Monroe helps with fire damage restoration for all types of losses in Monroe. Call us at (318) 345-5121 when the need arises.