Saskatoon Fire - News Releases

The Fire Investigation into the cause and origin of the fire in the 300 Block of 109^th Street West is ongoing due to the current condition of the structure after the fire.  An update will be provided once available.

During the incident, firefighters were performing searches to ensure no occupants remained inside the structure.  While conducting the searches, fire conditions changed drastically inside the structure where all combustible material ignited simultaneously.  This created a flash over condition.  Two firefighters were in a situation where they needed to evacuate the structure immediately.  They took safe haven in a bedroom closing the door behind them.  This room had a window.  Using SFD’s tactical self preservation methods, they sent an alert over the radio that overrides the entire radio transmissions over the entire fire ground.  They initiated a “mayday” and relayed conditions, the actions being taken and their needs.  The two firefighters using their tactical training were performing a “bail out” where they broke the window, fire ground firefighters brought a ladder to the window and the firefighters used their training tactics to hook onto the window frame and leverage themselves onto the ladder. 

Both firefighters safely evacuated the structure without injury. 

An incident debriefing and peer support was provided immediately to the firefighters involved in the self evacuation and the personnel involved in this incident.

Firefighter safety is everyone’s priority but the job they perform comes with risks.  It is the extensive training beyond performing rescues and tactics where they practice self preservation that are integral to firefighter safety.    

With any incident of significance to firefighter safety, an after-action review is being conducted.  The purpose of a review allows for an assessment of actions taken, evaluate procedures and enhance safety if warranted. 

At 5:13 a.m., the Saskatoon Fire Department was called for a report of a fire in a furnace room.  Dispatched to the scene were 3 fire engines, 1 ladder unit, 1 rescue unit and the Battalion Chief.  First fire engine and crew on scene reported heavy smoke and flame showing from the basement.  Fire crews shut the natural gas off.  A power line was down in the backyard.  All incoming fire crews were assigned tactical duties and a safety officer was appointed.  Utility companies were notified by Fire Dispatchers to respond for scene safety and ensure utilities were completely shut down.  Fire Investigator was dispatched at 5:26 a.m. to attend.

Extinguishment and searches by fire crews were performed to ensure no occupants remained in the structure.  Fire crews had the fire under control in the basement but the fire extended to the main floor and through the roof.  The ladder truck and its fire crew were positioned from the hydraulic ladder to extinguish the fire showing itself in the attic/roof area.  Ground level fire crews switched from an interior attack to an exterior attack at 6:24 a.m. 

Fire crews are still on scene at this time.  

All occupants of the structure are accounted for and the smoke alarms alerted them to the fire.

An update will be provided at a later time.

At 9:42 a.m. on January 24, 2022, a fire crew from the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) were returning to their station from a previous incident when they came upon a two vehicle accident.  One occupant of a vehicle involved required extrication.  A rescue unit and the Battalion Chief were dispatched to support the accident scene.  The police and ambulance service were notified by the SFD Dispatchers to respond.  Fire crews stabilized the vehicle and de-energized the battery to prepare for extrication of the occupant who presented minor injuries.  A hydraulic cutting tool was used by firefighters to open the driver's door to assist the occupant out of the vehicle.

The ladder truck from the closest fire station was required to provide extra bags of absorbent material needed to clean up diesel that had leaked from a one ton cube van.  An SFD maintenance vehicle also responded to transport and properly dispose of the material used to soak up the leaked fluids on the ground.

Patient care was transferred to the ambulance service.  Saskatoon Police Service were left with the scene.

Fire crews returned to station at 10:28 a.m.

At 11:48 p.m. on January 15, 2022, Saskatoon Fire Department Communications Center received a report that a garage was on fire in the 2500 Block of Clarence Avenue South.  Three fire engines, one ladder truck, one rescue unit and a Battalion Chief responded.  A fire crew arrived at 11:51 p.m. and reported heavy smoke showing from a detached garage.  Fire crews initially attacked the fire using the hose line in the bumper of the fire engine.  Access to the interior of the garage was made through the man door.  All other incoming fire crews were assigned tactical duties to perform on their arrivals.  This fire was brought under control at midnight on January 16, 2022.  Fire crews completed checking all areas of the roof and attic to ensure the flame or heat hadn't extended.  At 12:46 a.m., the last fire crew on scene returned to their station to begin the work of getting tools cleaned and ensuring the fire engine was fully equipped and ready to respond.

A Fire Investigator had been requested to attend the fire scene.  The scene was turned over to the Fire Investigator who conducted a cause and origin scene examination.  Fire was determined to be accidental due to a block heater cord being plugged into an extension cord.  The cord had been pinched from the hood being closed and compressing it.  Fire originated in the hood area of the vehicle.  Damage from this fire is estimated to be $60,000.  Fire Investigator left the scene once the garage was secured.  

At 1:16 a.m., the Saskatoon Fire Department received a call of a fire in an attached garage at a home in the 700 Block of Sutter Crescent.  Dispatched to the fire were 3 fire engines, 1 ladder truck, 1 rescue unit and the Battalion Chief.  First arriving fire crew reported smoke coming from the garage and occupants waiting outside.  Incoming fire crews were assigned tactical duties.  The fire had broke through a window to the garage, fire crews immediately started applying water on the fire through the broken window.  This fire was brought under control at 1:43 a.m.

The Fire Investigator conducted a scene examination and determined the fire was accidental from a portable heater being too close to combustible material.  The electrical heater had been plugged in and running in the garage since 6 p.m. the previous evening.  Damage is estimated at $50,000.

No injuries to civilians or firefighters occurred as a result of this fire.

At 8:36 a.m., the Saskatoon Fire Department Communication Center received a notification of a two vehicle accident at Highway 11 and Circle Drive.  Dispatched to the scene were one fire engine, one rescue unit and the Battalion Chief.  First arriving fire crews reported a vehicle lying on its side with 5 occupants requiring assistance to be extricated.  All occupants were assessed by firefighters and presented no injuries.  The vehicle was stabilized for safety reasons.  Four children and one adult were safely removed from the vehicle at 8:55 a.m.  

A fire crew stayed with the occupants providing warmth and safety from traffic.  Occupants were waiting for transportation from someone they knew.  The fire crew left the scene at 9:20 a.m. and returned to their station.

Stay safe everyone.  

At 2:42 a.m., the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) received a call for a smell of natural gas.  One fire engine, one ladder truck and the Battalion Chief were dispatched.  First arriving fire crews identified a carbon monoxide issue and not a natural gas leak.  Readings were taken throughout the 7 storey hotel with variances of 10 - 61 ppm.  SaskEnergy was requested to attend. 

Fire crews investigated and identified the source of the carbon monoxide concern was one of the heating units on the roof.  Fire crews had the staff at the hotel shut down the defective rooftop unit.   Carbon monoxide levels began decreasing immediately.  Fire crews began ventilating the building with fans.  

Two hours into the incident, relief crews had to be sent as the fire trucks on scene were at risk of freezing up.  Temperatures at this time were -46 degrees.  Fire crews and their apparatus were relieved to avoid freezing from happening.  Ventilation efforts were never disrupted with this change out of apparatus and carbon monoxide continued to be removed from the building. 

SaskEnergy remained on scene assisting fire crews and assessing the heating equipment.  Just after 6 a.m., the readings for carbon monoxide were down to zero.  At 6:43 a.m., the fire crews left the scene in the control of SaskEnergy and returned to their stations.

No medical concerns or injuries were identified with any person(s) staying or working at the hotel.  Evacuation and/or relocation of occupants was not required.

An SFD Fire Inspector is attending this morning to follow up.

The Fire Investigator was able to confirm that the occupant from the fire that occurred on New Year's Eve has been located.  Our unaccounted occupant in the 400 Block of Avenue R South fire is safe, not injured and rehoused.

At 5:00 p.m., the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) received a report of a fire at a mobile home in the 1500 Block of Rayner Avenue.  Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one ladder truck and the Battalion Chief were dispatched to respond.  It was reported that no one was inside the structure with one occupant staying warm in their vehicle.  First arriving fire crews reported smoke and flames showing on arrival.  The on duty Fire Investigator was dispatched at 5:15 p.m.  Natural gas and electrical service were shut down to the structure for scene safety.  An exterior attack was initiated immediately and incoming fire crews were assigned tactical duties on their arrival by the Fire Officer in charge.  Safety officer duties were assigned to a Captain of another fire crew.  A City of Saskatoon truck was requested to provide sand/gravel on site to assist with icy conditions being created during the extinguishment by fire crews.

With the extremely cold temperature, fire engines freezing was a concern and another fire engine was requested to assist at the fire scene.  On duty fire crews switched out firefighters on scene to avoid cold exposure and provide relief.   This fire was brought under control at 7:31 p.m.

An SFD maintenance vehicle picked up equipment to return to the stations for thawing and decontamination.  

No injuries to civilians or firefighters occurred as a result of this fire.

The Fire Investigator conducted a cause and origin scene examination.  Cause of the fire is accidental from a kerosene heater being too close to the exterior of the structure in an effort to keep water lines from freezing.  The wood skirting around the mobile home caught fire and caused $30,000 in damages.  The occupant was rehoused.  Our Fire Investigator had the structure secured and left the scene at 10:43 p.m. 

At 9:21 p.m. on December 31, 2021, Saskatoon City Police reported a structure fire in the 400 block of Avenue R South to the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) Communications Center.  Police saw the fire during their patrol.  Fire crews were dispatched and first arriving fire engine reported the structure was completely involved in fire.  Incoming fire crews were assigned tactical duties and a safety officer was designated for the duration of this incident.   An exterior attack of the fire was initiated on arrival with limited entry into the structure due to the amount of fire and unsafe conditions met.  The neighbouring houses were at risk of becoming involved in the fire.  Some firefighters were assigned to protect the neighbouring structures. 

A portion of the structure involved in the fire had to be taken down with an excavator at 3:19 a.m.  It was identified that a wall was at immediate risk of failing from its loss of structural strength due to fire consuming structural components and the weight of water freezing to the structure.  The take down of a portion of the building also assisted firefighters to extinguish an area of fire that couldn't be accessed from the exterior.

One resident reported as living at this structure was not accounted for during this fire and Saskatoon Police are following up.

SaskEnergy and Saskatoon Light and Power were notified to disconnect service for safety precautions.  City of Saskatoon trucks supported the fire scene by spreading sand around the streets and sidewalks due to icy conditions created by water used for extinguishment.  Police maintained traffic control and the ambulance service was on stand by.  Thank you to our partner agencies for their support.

Initially 3 fire engines, one ladder truck, one rescue unit, the Battalion Chief and a Fire Investigator were dispatched to the scene.  Firefighters off duty were called in to operate reserve fire engines to ensure adequate resources were maintained.  Throughout the duration of this fire, 10 additional fire crews were rotated through the fire scene to avoid cold exposure and provide relief.   The fire scene was also supported by SFD's maintenance vehicles to switch out equipment during this incident.  

The Fire Investigator was not able to conduct a cause and origin scene examination.  Damage to the structure is estimated at $150,000.  The area around the structure has been fenced off and a Notice of Closure placed on the property by the SFD.  An Order to Remedy will be issued by the Fire Investigator to ensure the structure's complete demolition occurs as soon as practical.

No injuries to firefighters occurred as a result of this fire.

Fire crews responded to 36 incidents during their 14 hour night shift with this fire being one incident.  Fire crews left the scene just before 8 a.m. on January 1, 2022.   

Happy New Year, Stay Warm and Stay Safe.