Update: Apartment fire at Avenue P South results in loss of life

A fire investigator has identified improper disposal of smoking material as the cause of a fatal fire early this morning.  At 2:34 a.m. the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) received a report of a fire on the third floor of an apartment building at 202 Avenue P South. Four engines, a ladder truck, and a heavy rescue unit were dispatched.

 

Upon arriving, fire crews observed flames coming from a balcony on the third floor. The crew suspected an occupant was inside the burning suite. Firefighters advanced a hose line to apply water to the fire while another crew began clearing the building. Firefighters located and removed three occupants from the burning suite. Two occupants were transferred to the ambulance service for treatment. SFD Firefighter Paramedics completed a primary assessment to check the vital signs on the third occupant and determined the person was deceased.

 

The fire was contained to the one suite and was under control at 3:01 am. During the salvage and overhaul stage, crews ventilated the building of residual smoke and carbon monoxide.

 

SFD’s fire investigator determined the fire originated in the living room of the suite. There were no smoke alarms present inside the suite at the time of the fire. Damage is estimated at $50,000.