Saskatoon Fire - News Releases

At 2:55 a.m., the Saskatoon Fire Department's (SFD) Communications Centre received a report of a bungalow on fire in the 200 Block of Avenue L South.  First arriving fire engine and crew reported smoke and flames showing.  Incoming fire crews were given their tactical assignments.  A quick exterior extinguishment of the fire began.  Once the flames were knocked down then crews advanced inside.  Utility services were shut down and a firefighter was assigned as the safety officer on the scene.  Due to the extremely cold weather that was reported as feeling like -43 and base temperature of -34, fire crews were rotated through the fire scene during the incident.

Two occupants were home at the time of the fire and were reported to have evacuated without injury.  The occupants had left the scene prior to SFD's arrival.

A Fire Investigator is on scene at this time.  Damage is estimated to be $150,000 to the small structure.    An update will be provided after the completion of the investigation.  It is unknown at this time if smoke alarms were in place and working.

At 5:30 a.m., the Saskatoon Fire Department received a report of a fence on fire in the 1600 Block of Cairns Avenue.  One fire engine responded and identified a fence and barbecue area on fire.  The natural gas serving the barbecue was shut off and the fire was extinguished.  A Fire Investigator was called to conduct a cause and origin scene examination.

The Fire Investigation has concluded, barbecue was installed too close to combustible material.  Barbecue had been used and shut off at 8 p.m. the previous night with a temperature reaching 700 degrees.  A wood counter next to the barbecue smoldered during the night and caught the fence on fire.  Heat emitted from the barbecue is the source.

Cause of the fire is accidental with $5,000 damage.  

No person(s) or firefighters were injured as a result of this fire.

The Fire Investigator and the Police Investigator were able to safely enter the front portion of the business and conduct a scene examination.  Multiple extension cords throughout the business were identified.  The cause and source of the fire was an extension cord plugged into a timer that was being served by another extension cord.  Fire traveled along the cord and proceeded up the wall and into the ceiling, catching the roof components on fire.  

Damage is estimated at $500,000.  Cause of the fire is accidental.  The fire originated at the front of the business.

The property is being turned over to the property owner's agent who will be responsible for securing the structure.

The Saskatoon Fire Department will take this opportunity to remind and educate residents that extension cords should never be used as a permanent means of wiring.  Safe practice is to have all small and large appliances plugged directly into an outlet.  Extension cords are a temporary source of electricity.  Exterior extension cords are heavily insulated to "weather" the cold to supply electricity outdoors.  An example is our vehicles during the cold months use exterior extension cords as the cooler weather allows the wiring to stay cool internally.  Interior extension cords should not be plugged in for long periods of time.   They need to be unplugged so they don't overheat internally or overload an electrical circuit and cause a fire.  As a safety measure, always check the condition of your extension cords to ensure they are not frayed, damaged or showing signs of aging.  Replace extension cords as needed.  

There were no injuries to civilians or firefighters as a result of this fire.

At 6:10 p.m., the Saskatoon Fire Department Communications Center received a 9-1-1 call reporting a possible fire in the kitchen of a convenience store.  Three fire engines, one ladder unit, one rescue unit and the Battalion Chief responded.  First arriving fire crews reported a fire in the adjoining business in the center of a strip mall.  Fire crews were assigned tactical duties and work groups by the incident commander.  The Battalion Chief conducted a complete walk around the structure while firefighters hooked up the hydrant, readied hose lines and made entry into the middle business where the bulk of the fire was noted.  Battalion Chief could see heavy smoke from the front and the rear of the business.  

Firefighters began extinguishing the fire upon entry.  All utilities were shut down as well as service station pumps on the property for scene safety and necessary precautions.  At 6:25 p.m., the ceiling collapsed inside the business where the bulk of the fire was burning.  Fire crews backed off for safety reasons and continued to extinguish the fire from safe locations.  At 6:30 p.m., it was identified that the roof was sagging in a downward direction.  The Battalion Chief called for all firefighters to exit the structure for safety purposes due to risk of roof collapse.

Extinguishment continued from ladders against the building and the ladder unit without entry onto the roof.  SaskEnergy and Saskatoon Light & Power attended the scene to ensure utilities would not be a hazard or a safety concern.  At this time, fire crews remain on scene.  

The Fire Investigator is now on scene.  Police Fire Investigator will also attend. 

Further details about the fire with its cause, origin and estimated damage will be provided once available.

At 2:26 p.m., the Saskatoon Fire Department received a call from a homeowner that her house was filling with smoke after lighting sage outside.  On arrival, fire crews identified a hole burnt in the exterior of the structure.  Using a thermal imaging camera, minor heat in the wall was identified.  Fire crews cut a hole from the exterior to ensure the fire was fully extinguished.  Minor damage to the structure resulted from this fire.

Any form of fire, even from a spiritual or faith based nature has the capability of starting a fire.  Never leave an open heat source unattended to avoid an accidental fire.  

This is a great time to test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.  Have a safe weekend.

At 1:54 a.m., the Saskatoon Fire Department responded to a motor vehicle collision involving two vehicles on the Broadway Bridge with possible entrapment.  A fire engine and rescue unit responded. 

On arrival, it was determined that extrication for one person was required.  Fire crews began setting up a safe work area with pylons and the fire engine in a fend off position to avoid further accidents on the bridge and providing a safe work area.  The person in the vehicle was covered in a tevlar blanket for protection during the extrication.  An SFD primary care paramedic provided care to the person in the vehicle during the cutting process.  Firefighters had stabilized the vehicle and checked their work area to ensure no hazards were a concern then with the use of a hydraulic cutting tool, removed the car door. 

The patient's care continued after removal from the vehicle with SFD assisting in packaging and loading the patient into the ambulance.  Patient's care was turned over to the ambulance service who transported the person to hospital.

Firefighters began cleaning up hazardous fluids that had leaked from the vehicles.  Debris was removed from the roadway.  A search by firefighters on both vehicles was conducted to ensure no other persons were in the vehicles.  Once complete, the fire crews packed up their equipment and returned to their stations at 2:41 a.m.  

The scene of the collision was turned over to the police service.

At 3:19 a.m., the Saskatoon Fire Department Communications Centre received a report of a fire in a suite on the 3rd floor of the Lighthouse.  Three fire engines, one ladder truck, one rescue unit and the Battalion Chief were dispatched.  On arrival, fire crews encountered occupants from the 3rd floor evacuating the building.  Tactical duties were assigned to fire crews and proceeded to the 3rd floor.  A fire was identified in a suite with heavy smoke but low heat.  The sprinkler system had activated and kept the fire in a small state.  Fire crews finished extinguishing the fire.  A Fire Investigator was dispatched to the scene.

Fire damage was contained to the fire suite.  Water had drained from the suite and is affecting approximately 15 suites.   Water damage is predominantly to ceiling tiles.  Firefighters assisted with resetting the fire alarm system.  It is unknown at this time if anyone will be displaced as a result of the fire.  A Fire Inspector will attend to ensure the fire and water protection systems are serviced and fully functional.  Clean up will commence today.

The Fire Investigator determined the cause was accidental due to improper disposal of smoking material.  Damage is estimated at $150,000.  

No injuries to civilians or firefighters resulted from this fire. 

An update will follow to report if anyone needs to be rehoused.  The Saskatoon Fire Department will notify and work with the Ministry of Social Services if rehousing is required.