Structure Fire - 800 block of 20th Street West

At approximately 7:25 a.m. on August 1, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received multiple 911 calls reporting black smoke exiting a residential structure in the 800 block of 20th Street West. Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief were dispatched for response. 

The first fire engine arrived on scene in two minutes to find a small bungalow with smoke visible from the exterior; firefighters were alerted on scene to the possibility of an occupant in the basement. Immediately connecting to nearby hydrants and making entry into the structure, firefighters located and extinguished a fire in the basement. All occupants were soon accounted for and were confirmed to have safely self-evacuated prior to the arrival of fire crews. Firefighters considered the fire to be under control by about 7:46 a.m. and confirmed the fire to have been contained to the basement. Ventilation was started to clear a significant amount of smoke from the structure. While performing searches, one deceased cat was located in the basement. Fire crews have since concluded on scene and returned to their stations to continue serving Saskatoon. 

A fire investigator has identified this fire to be accidental as a result of the improper disposal of smoking materials. Damage is estimated at approximately $25,000.