Saskatoon Fire - News Releases

The cause and origin of the fire that occurred at a motel in the 700 Block of Idylwyld Drive North on April 14, 2022 has been determined.  Insufficient cleaning and removal of lint inside the industrial dryer ignited causing $15,000 damage.  A Fire Inspection had recently occurred at the property and identified the ductwork serving the dryer required cleaning.  It was reported to the Fire Investigator a clean out of lint had been performed.   Remnants of lint were identified as remaining.  

No injuries occurred as a result of this fire.

Lint traps built into dryers are required to be cleaned by removing lint after every use.  Lint build up can cause heat to not escape the drum or ductwork and pose a risk of fire.  Ductwork serving dryers is required to be cleaned out regularly depending on the use of the dryer.  Most industrial dryers are used daily and require regular clean out.  If you notice lint building up in your dryer, around the dryer on surfaces such as walls and floor or around the exterior outlet - have your ductwork cleaned.  As regular maintenance, at a minimum all ductwork should be cleaned out annually.

Friendly reminder: test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

Have a safe Easter weekend!

At 12:58 p.m., the Saskatoon Fire Department received a call from a passerby who reported seeing smoke from the roof of a motel. Four fire engines, one ladder unit, one rescue unit and one Battalion Chief responded.

Upon arrival, crews saw light smoke coming from the motel. Firefighters began evacuating guests while searching for the origin of the fire. Crews located the smoke coming from a suite and identified a dryer fire.

The fire was extinguished by 1:10 p.m. and the building was ventilated of residual smoke and carbon monoxide. 

A fire investigator is en route. An update will follow.

At 9:21 a.m., the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) was requested by Asquith Fire Department to attend a motor vehicle accident with a patient trapped. Dispatched to the scene were a fire engine, a rescue unit and the Battalion Chief.

On arrival, SFD supported Asquith Fire with a semi tractor trailer and an SUV involved in an accident. SFD began setting up scene safety and prepared to remove one patient that was trapped in the SUV. Asquith Fire attended to the driver of the semi. At 9:43 a.m., by using a hydraulic cutting tool, SFD removed the patient from the vehicle and patient care was transferred to the ambulance service.

SFD remained on scene to assist Asquith Fire with cleaning up fluid leaking from the semi. The scene was cleared by 10:52 a.m.

At 8:09 a.m. on March 16, 2022, the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) responded with nine fire apparatus to a 9-1-1 call reporting “lots of smoke on the fourth floor” of a multi-unit residential building on the 100 block of Avenue O South. The fire was discovered after persons were alerted by the building’s fire alarm activation and the sounding of alarms. 

Residents were self-evacuating when fire crews arrived. Saskatoon fire crews immediately initiated rescue and fire suppression operations. Approximately 20 more residents were evacuated by fire crews as SFD simultaneously conducted fire suppression activities. Fire crews entered the stairwell of the apartment and found a fire occurring within the fourth-floor stairwell. The fire was extinguished and the smoke was ventilated from the building. 

SFD’s Incident Command called for a fire investigator to attend. Upon arrival, the fire investigator conducted a fire scene examination. The cause of the fire was determined to be a deliberate fire act. Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) was called to the scene for further investigation and collaboration by both agencies. SPS will continue with a criminal investigation as a result of the SFD investigator’s findings. 

Fire damage is estimated at $10,000. 

SFD would like to remind the public that working fire alarm systems, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms save lives. Know your fire evacuation plan and procedures, practice the plan regularly, and if a fire is occurring, call 9-1-1. 

At 4:34 a.m. on March 10, 2022, the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) received a call reporting a fire in a home on the 400 block of Avenue I North. All four occupants safely evacuated from the home and were sheltering in a vehicle. Three engines, one ladder, one rescue truck and one battalion chief were dispatched. 

Upon arriving, fire crews observed smoke and flame coming from the 1.5 storey home. Crews advanced a hose line to apply water to the fire while another crew shut off the natural gas. Utility companies were notified and utilities were shut down to ensure safety at the scene. 

At 5:04 a.m. heavy flame continued from the windows of the second floor. Occupants in adjacent homes were notified and evacuated. Firefighters continued to extinguish the fire, resulting in heavy smoke.  

Firefighters extinguished all visible flames by 5:45 a.m. and the home was prepared for ventilation. Once the smoke cleared, fire crews checked the home for hotspots. 

At 6:07 a.m. a hidden fire was discovered in the back of the home. The crew on duty switched out firefighters on scene to avoid cold exposure and provide relief. Firefighters proceeded to attack the fire at the back of the home. The fire was brought under control at 6:32 a.m.  

After extensively searching the home, fire crews were unable to find the occupants’ four-month-old Shepherd puppy. The dog’s whereabouts remain unknown. 

The search concluded and crews declared the loss stopped at 7:52 a.m.  

The Fire Investigator performed a cause and origin scene examination. The fire originated in a basement bedroom. The cause of the fire was determined as careless disposal of smoking material. Damage is estimated at $100,000.

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.  

At 7:02 pm, on February 18, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a report of a garage on fire.  Three fire engines, one rescue unit, a ladder truck and the Battalion Chief responded.  On arrival, the garage had smoke showing.  Firefighters began preparing to enter the garage.  Incoming fire crews were assigned tactical duties to perform on their arrivals.  It was reported that there was paint, acetylene, oxygen tank and a vehicle inside.  Upon entry into the garage, firefighters encountered smoke and began advancing to the area on fire.  Consideration was given to the effects of heat and flame impingement on the tanks and chemicals stored inside as a safety precaution.  Utilities were shut down.  The fire was brought under control at 7:32 pm.

The Fire Investigator on call responded to the fire scene.  A scene examination was performed.  Occupant had been doing work inside the garage an hour prior to the fire.  Cause of the fire was sparks from a grinder that caught used rags in the area on fire.  Fire originated inside the garage where the work had been performed.  Occupant heard a loud bang when it was realized the garage was on fire.  Tires being stored overhead heating and catching fire were the source of the loud bang heard.  Damage is estimated to be $100,000.

No one was hurt as a result of this fire.

At 9:05 a.m. on February 11, 2022, the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) received a call reporting a fire on the second floor of an apartment building on the 200 block of Avenue N South. Four engines, one ladder, one rescue truck and one battalion chief were dispatched.  

Upon arriving, fire crews observed heavy smoke coming from a suite on the second floor of the building. One fire crew proceeded with an interior attack and advanced a hose line to apply water to the fire. Meanwhile, another crew continued to evacuate occupants on all floors of the apartment building.  

The fire was extinguished by 9:22 a.m. and crews began ventilating the building of residual smoke and carbon monoxide at 9:24 a.m. Once the building was fully vented, occupants were let back into their suites at 10:02 a.m. 

During the incident, two occupants required care and were treated by SFD’s firefighter-paramedics for smoke inhalation. One patient’s care was transferred to the ambulance service and taken to hospital; the other was released with minor injuries. Two cats were rescued from the burning suite; one was declared deceased on scene. 

SFD’s Fire Investigator deemed the cause of the fire as accidental due to careless use of a flammable device. Fire damage is estimated at $40,000. 

The Fire Investigator was able to re-enter the structure on February 8, 2022.  Scene examination for the fire in the 300 Block of 109th Street West has concluded.  Fire originated in the service/furnace room.  Cause of the fire has been determined to be accidental due to combustibles being too close to the water heater.  Combustible material was ignited by the flame of the water heater resulting in the fire.  

At 5:04 pm, Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) received a call of a structure on fire in the 400 Block of Avenue L North.  Three fire engines, one ladder unit, one rescue truck and the Battalion Chief responded.  The first arriving engine reported a structure with flame and smoke showing.  Tactical duties were assigned to incoming fire crews and the fire investigator was requested.  The location of the fire was identified in the basement and interior fire crew were assigned to enter the basement.  At 5:16 p.m., fire crews began knocking the fire down.  The Fire Investigator arrived at 5:46 p.m.

The Fire Investigator performed a cause and origin scene examination.  

Cause of the fire is undetermined at this time.  Fire originated in a basement bedroom.

Damage is estimated at $20,000.