Article
Soot is corrosive: why electronics fail weeks after a fire
A TV, router or fuse box can look fine after a fire and still fail a few weeks later. The reason is chemistry, not bad luck.
Acid from burned plastic
Many plastics, especially PVC in cables, pipes and flooring, release chlorine compounds when they burn. Combined with moisture they form acids that settle with the soot.
Corrosion keeps going
On metal contacts, circuit boards and bare metal, this acidic residue keeps corroding after the visible soot has been wiped off, especially in humid air.
What to do in the first days
- Do not switch damaged appliances or circuits on to test them. Let an electrician isolate and check them.
- Move electronics out of the soot zone and keep the humidity low.
- Dry-remove soot from metal surfaces and have electronics assessed by a technician.
- Document everything for the insurer before it is cleaned or discarded.
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