Be sure to remove all the soot. The more you get rid of, the faster the smoke smell it contains will dissipate. Even if the damage is heavy and you have filed a claim with your insurance company, you'll still have a mess on your hands. Fortunately, there are services that specialize in postfire cleanup work. You can also contact several organizations that provide references.
Professionals are especially skilled at eliminating the smoky odor that lingers after a fire.
Their cleanup arsenal includes ozone generators and special deodorizing chemicals unavailable to consumers. After a serious fire, you might have to move out of the house during cleanup and repairs. If so, be sure to board up broken windows and other holes. Remove any valuables you can. And consider hiring a security service to keep an eye on your home.