Small fire - 100 Block of Avenue M South

On February 19, 2022, at 5:11 pm, the Saskatoon Fire Department responded to a report from someone seeing smoke inside a house.  The caller did not know if any person(s) were home.  Three fire engines, a ladder truck, a rescue unit and the Battalion Chief responded.  First arriving fire crew reported light smoke showing from the front window.  Fire crews entered the residence and identified a fire in the bedroom and the laundry room with water present.  No fire just smoke residue from what appeared to be an extinguished fire.  The Fire Investigator was called to the scene.

Fire Investigator determined the fire was caused by smoking material catching combustibles on fire when an occupant fell asleep.  Occupant used water to extinguish the fire.  $2000 damage.  

The smoke alarm was missing.  Our occupant was lucky to have woken before receiving burns or the fire spread further with devastating outcomes.  The fire investigator confirmed that smoke alarm records were being maintained by the owner.  It appears an occupant of the home removed the smoke alarm.  Smoke alarms are a life saving device that alert occupants in the early onset of a fire to evacuate safely.  Never remove smoke alarms.  

The fire was small and smoke was removed which allowed the occupant to remain in the residence.  The Fire Investigator installed a smoke alarm prior to leaving the scene to ensure this small life safety device was in place and ready to do its "big" job.