Deck fire - 44 Lindsay Drive

At approximately 11:43 this morning, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a single 911 call reporting a deck on fire at 44 Lindsay Drive.

Three Fire Engines, one Heavy Rescue Unit, one Aerial Ladder Truck, and one Battalion Chief were dispatched for immediate response.

Upon arrival of the first responding fire crew, it was determined that an ignited deck had since been extinguished by a neighbour equipped with a garden hose. All additional responding fire crews were canceled and the request for a Fire Investigation Unit was made. A fire crew checked for possible extension of the fire and monitored the smouldering debris until a Fire Investigator arrived on scene.

The occupants were not home at the time of the fire; however, later arrived to be interviewed by the Fire Investigator. No injuries were reported as a result of this incident.

The Fire Investigator has found the cause of the fire to be accidental in nature as a result of the improper disposal of smoking materials. Damage was confined to the deck and has been estimated at $500. 

The Saskatoon Fire Department reminds residents to be mindful of safe practices when disposing of smoking materials:

• Always use a deep ashtray or metal container to dispose of smoking materials, keeping it a safe distance from anything combustible,
• Never discard smoking materials in mulch, potted plants, grasses, leaves, or other easily combustible materials, and
• Douse smoking materials in water or sand to ensure they are safely out.

Smoking material fires are preventable fires; be sure to properly put it out.