Saskatoon Fire - News Releases

At 6:01 p.m., the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) Communications Centre received a report of a deep fryer on fire in the 2500 Block of 8th Street East on July 20, 2022.  Four fire engines, one ladder truck, one rescue unit and the Battalion Chief were dispatched.  First arriving fire crew reported occupants evacuating a single storey restaurant.  Crews identified a deep fryer involved in fire.  Firefighters used a Class K fire extinguisher which is designed to extinguish grease fires to put the fire out.  The natural gas service was shut off for scene safety and SaskEnergy requested to attend to inspect the utility service in the event it sustained damage from the fire.  Fire was brought under control at 6:17 p.m.  

At 6:18 p.m., the Fire Investigator was dispatched to the fire scene.  The fire investigation has concluded and the fire originated in a deep fryer vent due to lack of cleaning the commercial cooking equipment.  Special suppression system serving the commercial cooking equipment did not activate and failed to discharge extinguishing product on the fire.  The fire alarm did not activate and was not activated to provide early warning to occupants and employees.  No injuries were sustained to employees, occupants or firefighters as a result of this fire.  Damage is estimated at $20,000.

The restaurant has been closed by the Saskatoon Fire Department until clean up, commercial cooking equipment, fire alarm system and the suppression system have been repaired, maintained and tested as being fully operational.  Emergency procedures will be required to be reviewed by the SFD in accordance with the National Fire Code of Canada.

An SFD Fire Inspector will follow up prior to the re-opening of the restaurant to ensure all deficiencies have been rectified.

At 1:15 p.m. on July 18, 2022, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a call that a structure was on fire in the 400 block of Avenue I South.  Three fire engines, one ladder truck, one rescue unit and the Battalion Chief were dispatched.  On arrival at 1:18 p.m., the fire crews' incident commander determined it was a shed fully involved.  Two fire engines were committed to the extinguishment of the fire and the remaining apparatus were canceled and pulled off the response, returning to their stations.  A power line was overhead and the utility company was called for safety at the fire scene.  A Fire Investigator was requested by the Incident Commander.  This fire was brought under control at 1:27 p.m.  

At 1:54 p.m., fire crews had packed up their equipment and turned the scene over to the Fire Investigator.  

The fire investigation has concluded.  This has been determined to be a suspicious fire causing $5000 damage.  The Saskatoon Police Service will continue their portion of the investigation.  If anyone has information related to this fire, please contact (306) 975-8300 at the Saskatoon Police Service.

At 3:37 a.m. on July 17, 2022, the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) received a call from the R.C.M.P. that they had been searching for two missing people who were found stranded on a sand bar at Poplar Bluffs.  One water rescue team was dispatched to assist the R.C.M.P.  SFD was advised that no one was injured just needed assistance getting off the river's sand bar. 

Two people were found in the middle of the river on a sand bar without injuries.  At 4:49 a.m., the water team had the two individuals safely returned to shore.  SFD team returned to station at 5:02 a.m.  No details of what occurred to create the stranded situation is known by the SFD.

A friendly reminder to always have a back up plan when going near, in or on the water, inform someone of your plans and route, keep cell phones as charged as possible (don't drain them), refrain from alcohol which affects judgement, personal floatation device, take a whistle and flashlight as a means to call out and notify of your location. 

If you are using a vessel on the water, please review the requirements by Transport Canada for safe boat use on the water.  

https://tc.canada.ca/sites/default/files/migrated/tp_511e.pdf

At 10:00 p.m., the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) received information from a caller south of Poplar Bluffs that they were missing someone in their group.  They had been on a "party island" floating near three sand bars and lost a member.  The SFD dispatcher took a description of the person, last point seen and directed the callers to stay on scene to assist our water rescue team.  One water rescue team with the Zodiak boat and the Battalion Chief were dispatched.  Notifications were made to Saskatoon Police Service (SPS), Corman Park Police, R.C.M.P. and Search and Rescue by the SFD.  Police had their plane and were requested by the SFD to assist in the location of the missing person.  

On arrival at 10:34 p.m., R.C.M.P. were on scene and the SFD boat was launched and on the river at 10:48 p.m.  Members of the SFD searched the river from the boat and two SFD members walked along the river's edge.  The SPS plane was searching the area from the air.  At 10:58 p.m., the crew in the SFD boat found a person in the river up to his neck in water at 10:58 p.m.  Our missing person was brought to shore without injuries, returned to their group and did not need medical assistance.  All other agencies were notified that the person had been found and was safe.

The SFD wants to take this opportunity to thank our partner agencies for their assistance.  SFD returned to their station at 11:24 p.m.

The Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) is the incident commander for these multiple incidents.  The SFD is able to maintain their service level for the remainder of our city and citizens with fire personnel off duty and reserve apparatus being in commission at stations.  On the command unit is also a dispatcher who is dedicated to these fires leaving our on duty dispatchers in our Communications Centre able to focus on other emergency calls for service not involved in these incidents.  Two off duty Battalion Chiefs are also assisting our SFD Incident Commander in the command unit.  

Warman Fire Department is also on scene and assisting the SFD in addition to Martensville Fire.  The resources and collaboration that our partner fire services and SFD provide to one another is invaluable when needed and called upon.  

A Fire Investigator has been requested to document and map the fire patterns, estimate damages and determine cause.  The Fire Investigator will be reporting to the SFD's Incident Commander on arrival.

We will continue to update with information as it becomes available.  

At 4:11 p.m., the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) Communications Centre received a report of a fire along the tracks north of 71st Street East.  A rural response was dispatched originally compromising of one fire engine, one brush truck, one tanker unit and the Battalion Chief.  The first arriving fire engine identified a fire close to New Holland and Sarcan.  Fire was spreading, more resources were dispatched to the scene.  Multiple fires were identified which created multiple incidents.  The Saskatoon Fire Department remains on the scene at this time actively extinguishing the fires with partner agencies assisting.  Martensville Fire Department is assisting the SFD.  Saskatoon Police Service is providing essential traffic control to keep the public, our fire crews, hose lines, apparatus and tools safe.  SFD requests that all motorists and residents respect barricades, police and fire personnel and their equipment.  

No injuries have been reported of civilians or emergency personnel at this time.  Firefighting in this extreme hot weather is being considered and crews rotated regularly to keep firefighters from overheating, dehydrating and staying safe to be in optimal firefighting condition.

Our Emergency Management Command 9 Unit is on scene.  Our Assistant Chief of Staff Development and Safety is acting as Safety Officer.  The Deputy Chief of Operations is coordinating operations on our command unit.  All agencies are being coordinated by our Director of Emergency Management.  

The SFD will provide an update once it is available.  

The structure fire on July 11, 2022 was brought under control at 8:46 p.m.  No injuries were sustained as a result of this fire to civilians or firefighters. 

Fire Investigation has concluded.  Cause of the fire is accidental from improper disposal of smoking material. 

Fire originated inside a pillar that supports the roof over the front door.  The pillar was finished with brick veneer over wood frame construction.  A flower bed surrounded the pillar that contained a paper cup for cigarette butts as well as peat moss in the flower bed.  Cigarette butts were identified inside the pillar with the interior wood frame sustaining fire damage.  

Damage is estimated at $750,000.  

The Saskatoon Fire Department wants to remind our community members that potting soil, combustible material such as paper cups, plastic containers and planter pots are not appropriate cigarette receptacles.  These products are prone to heat and igniting on fire.  Please use a non-combustible container such as glass or metal with a lid and water inside to fully submerge and extinguish smoking material.  Stay safe.  

At 7:45 p.m. on July 11, 2022, the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) Communications Centre received a call reporting a structure fire in the 600 block of Hargreaves Avenue.  Dispatched to the fire scene were three fire engines, one ladder truck, one rescue unit and the Battalion Chief.  On arrival at 7:52 p.m., first arriving fire crews reported a fully involved structure fire.  Fire extends from the basement to the roof.  Responding fire crews were assigned tactical duties.  Utilities were shut down for scene safety.  The street was shut down for the public's safety.  At 8:09 p.m., fire crews were going defensive while they assessed the structure and its fire conditions while continuing extinguishment.  At 8:21 p.m., the fire is reported as knocked down in the basement and the fire in the roof being suppressed by the ladder truck.  At 8:38 p.m., fire crews were back in offensive mode and entering the structure once again to complete extinguishment in the interior areas.  

Fire crews are assessing neighboring properties for fire extension and carbon monoxide at this time.  This fire is still active.

A Fire Investigator has been dispatched to the scene.  Updates will provided as they become available.

The SFD is requesting that all residents avoid this area for their own safety and those of our firefighters.  

At 7:15 p.m., the Saskatoon Fire Department Communications Centre received a report of a fire in a shop in the 900 Block of Valley Road on July 9, 2022.  Dispatched to the fire were two fire engines, one rescue unit, a tanker truck, a brush truck and the Battalion Chief.  On arrival at 7:33 p.m., it was identified that a recreational vehicle and some pallets had been on fire.  Employees had used water to extinguish the items on fire near the building.  This fire had extended to the exterior of the shop.  Utilities were shut down for scene safety.  Fire crews began pulling exterior siding off to extinguish hot spots.  The attic was checked for fire extension into the roof.  Only smoke was identified in the attic.  At 8:03 p.m., fire crews declared the fire fully extinguished.

Fire crews turned the scene over to the R.C.M.P. and returned to their stations.  If a fire investigation is to be conducted, it will be performed by the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency.

At 9:55 p.m. on July 9, 2022, the Saskatoon Fire Department Communications Centre received multiple calls of a structure fire in the 10 Block of Westview Place.  Dispatched to the fire were three fire engines, one ladder truck, one rescue unit and the Battalion Chief.  First arriving fire crew reported heavy flame showing from the second floor of a 3 storey unit in a townhouse complex.  Tactical duties were assigned to all incoming fire crews.  At 10:03 p.m., fire crews reported have an initial knock down of the fire and began to complete extinguishment.  Utility services were shut down for scene safety.  The units in this townhouse complex are attached to one another so consideration on the fire ground was to prevent fire spread to other units.  During their interior extinguishment, many used needles were identified so caution by firefighters was utilized while they worked.  A Fire Investigator was dispatched to the scene.

This fire was brought under control at 10:25 p.m.  Fire crews worked to ensure there were no fire extensions or hot spots in the unit.  At 11:07 p.m., the incident commander declared the fire was fully extinguished.  Transfer of the fire scene to the Fire Investigator began.  Fire crews began packing up their equipment, tools and hose lines.  The last fire crew returned to their station at 12:31 a.m. where decontamination of all equipment began.  The fire trucks were replenished and firefighters were ready for the next call.  

The Fire Investigation has concluded.  It was reported that the unit was vacant but not secured.  Someone was seen in the unit at approximately 6:30 p.m. prior to the fire.  It is not known when this person(s) exited the structure.  Police did not have an investigator available to attend the scene but will continue the investigation.  Origin of the fire was in a bedroom.  Fire damage is estimated at $75,000.  Cause of the fire is suspicious.  

The SFD Fire Investigator had the unit secured/boarded prior to leaving the scene.  

If anyone has information related to this fire, please contact our Saskatoon Police Service at (306) 975-8300.