Structure fire at 25th St and 2nd Ave

At 6:10 p.m., the Saskatoon Fire Department Communications Center received a 9-1-1 call reporting a possible fire in the kitchen of a convenience store.  Three fire engines, one ladder unit, one rescue unit and the Battalion Chief responded.  First arriving fire crews reported a fire in the adjoining business in the center of a strip mall.  Fire crews were assigned tactical duties and work groups by the incident commander.  The Battalion Chief conducted a complete walk around the structure while firefighters hooked up the hydrant, readied hose lines and made entry into the middle business where the bulk of the fire was noted.  Battalion Chief could see heavy smoke from the front and the rear of the business.  

Firefighters began extinguishing the fire upon entry.  All utilities were shut down as well as service station pumps on the property for scene safety and necessary precautions.  At 6:25 p.m., the ceiling collapsed inside the business where the bulk of the fire was burning.  Fire crews backed off for safety reasons and continued to extinguish the fire from safe locations.  At 6:30 p.m., it was identified that the roof was sagging in a downward direction.  The Battalion Chief called for all firefighters to exit the structure for safety purposes due to risk of roof collapse.

Extinguishment continued from ladders against the building and the ladder unit without entry onto the roof.  SaskEnergy and Saskatoon Light & Power attended the scene to ensure utilities would not be a hazard or a safety concern.  At this time, fire crews remain on scene.  

The Fire Investigator is now on scene.  Police Fire Investigator will also attend. 

Further details about the fire with its cause, origin and estimated damage will be provided once available.