Saskatoon Fire - News Releases

Saskatoon firefighters last night helped avoid a carbon monoxide poisoning that could have resulted in multiple deaths. 

“There’s no doubt, many lives were saved,” says Fire Chief Morgan Hackl. 

At 6:03 p.m. Thursday, January 14, 2021, the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) received a call reporting potential carbon monoxide at an apartment building at 12 Bateman Crescent. 

Engine 15 was dispatched for immediate response. Upon arrival, crews used a detector inside the building and confirmed the presence of carbon monoxide with an initial reading of 350 ppm. The main hallway of the basement showed readings of over 200 ppm. Tenants were instructed to evacuate and SFD crews began checking each suite of the building for occupants. Approximately 50 occupants evacuated the building safely. 27 people were transported to hospital and 20 others seeked medical attention. A total of 4 apparatus, one battalion chief and 22 SFD staff were involved at the scene. 

“This was a serious incident that could have turned out very differently” says Fire Chief Morgan Hackl. “The Saskatoon Fire Department urges all residential homes and multi-unit residences to have Carbon Monoxide alarms. They save lives.” 

SaskEnergy was contacted and performed an investigation of the building. The boiler room showed a reading of 412 ppm. Further analysis revealed the boiler had rusted and the exhaust was being pumped into the building. 12 Bateman Crescent remains closed until repairs are completed.  

“The Saskatoon Fire Department and SaskEnergy’s Fire Inspectors are proactively assessing other neighbouring buildings,” says Assistant Chief, Yvonne Raymer.  

20 Bateman Cresent has also been closed due to boiler issues and improper ventilation. Approximately 50 residents have been evacuated from the second apartment building. It is still unknown when residents will be able to return to their suites. The property owner is arranging for hotel rooms for evacuated residents and has secured 30 carbon monoxide alarms to be installed in the common areas and boiler room. 

This event is an important reminder for residents to protect their homes from carbon monoxide poisoning: 

Ensure gas equipment and appliances are properly installed, maintained, and inspected by a licensed contractor, Keep furnace, water heater, chimney vents and pipes free of obstructions, such as leaves, debris or nests and frost, snow, and ice in winter months. Follow manufacturer directions for proper operation and care of all heating equipment and appliances, Only use generators, barbeques and portable propane heaters outside, and Never leave a vehicle or fuelled engine running while indoors. 

The fire investigator has completed the on-scene examination and the cause of the fire remains undetermined.  Damages are estimated at $125,000.00

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Fire crews have completed the extinguishment of the fire and left the scene.  The fire investigator remains to sift the debris to determine what caused the fire.

The first arriving firefighters observed smoke and flames coming from the building.  Crews were assigned to advance hose lines into the building, seek out the areas on fire and worked to contain fire to an area inside the building, eventually extinguishing all hot spots.  At the same time a search of the building was conducted to ensure no one remained inside.  There are no injuries civilians or firefighters.

The cause of the fire and estimated damages with be forthcoming as the fire investigation continues.

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The Saskatoon Fire Department in currently at structure fire in a commercial building in the 2400 block of Dudley Street.  Fire Department Dispatch received a call from an alarm monitoring company at 5:50 pm indicating a fire signal.  Dispatched to the scene are four engines, a ladder, rescue battalion chief and fire investigator.

Fire crews are still on scene and additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

Fire crews have completed the extinguishment of the fire and left the scene.  The fire investigator remains to sift the debris to determine what caused the fire.

The first arriving firefighters observed smoke and flames coming from the building.  Crews were assigned to advance hose lines into the building, seek out the areas on fire and worked to contain fire to an area inside the building, eventually extinguishing all hot spots.  At the same time a search of the building was conducted to ensure no one remained inside.  There are no injuries civilians or firefighters.

The cause of the fire and estimated damages with be forthcoming as the fire investigation continues.

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The Saskatoon Fire Department in currently at structure fire in a commercial building in the 2400 block of Dudley Street.  Fire Department Dispatch received a call from an alarm monitoring company at 5:50 pm indicating a fire signal.  Dispatched to the scene are four engines, a ladder, rescue battalion chief and fire investigator.

Fire crews are still on scene and additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

The Saskatoon Fire Department in currently at structure fire in a commercial building in the 2400 block of Dudley Street.  Fire Department Dispatch received a call from an alarm monitoring company at 5:50 pm indicating a fire signal.  Dispatched to the scene are four engines, a ladder, rescue battalion chief and fire investigator.

Fire crews remain on scene and additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

The fire investigator has completed their examination of the fire scene and determined this fire was caused by a malfunctioning electrical extension cord and that resulted in an estimated $70,000.00 damage.

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The Saskatoon Fire Department received 911 calls at 2:53 pm Sunday January 3, 2021, reporting fire in a garage on Gathercole Crescent.  Callers reported flames coming from an attached garage in the 200 block.

Dispatched to attend are 3 engines, a ladder, rescue, battalion chief and fire investigator.  The first arriving firefighters advanced hose lines to begin knocking down flames and battled fire extending into the roof.  A search of the home confirmed occupants were safely out of the house.  The are no reported injuries to civilians or firefighters.

The fire investigator remains on scene working to determine the cause of the fire.  Further information will be provided once it becomes available.

The Saskatoon Fire Department received 911 calls at 2:53 pm Sunday January 3, 2021, reporting fire in a garage on Gathercole Crescent.  Callers reported flames coming from an attached garage in the 200 block.

Dispatched to attend are 3 engines, a ladder, rescue, battalion chief and fire investigator.  The first arriving firefighters advanced hose lines to begin knocking down flames and battled fire extending into the roof.  A search of the home confirmed occupants were safely out of the house.  The are no reported injuries to civilians or firefighters.

The fire investigator remains on scene working to determine the cause of the fire.  Further information will be provided once it becomes available.

The Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call at 10:33 am this morning reporting a garage on fire in the 200 block of Lake Crescent.  Dispatched to the scene were three engines, a ladder, rescue battalion chief and fire investigator.

The first arriving firefighters observed smoke emitting from a detached garage.  Crews were assigned to bring water to the front of the garage and gain entry.  The interior to the garage contained a significant number of items that contributed to an increased fire load and inhibited crews from easily gaining access to the seat of the fire.

Once the overhead door was opened crews were able to gain access to the interior and extinguish the fire. 

The fire investigator has completed the on-scene examination and has concluded the fire started as a result of improperly disposed woodstove ash.  Damages are estimated at $75,000.00.

The Saskatoon Fire Department reminds all users of wood burning appliances, including fire pits, to be diligent when disposing of ash after a fire as there may be hot embers that can cause unintended fires.

The Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call at 8:41 pm on Sunday December 27, 2020 reporting a house fire on the 700 block of Trent Crescent.  Dispatched to the scene were three engines a ladder, rescue, battalion chief and fire investigator.

The first arriving firefighters observed light smoke from the home and proceeded to advance hose lines into the building.  A search confirmed all occupants had evacuated, one who suffered burns to their hands.

The fire investigation has determined a cardboard box containing refuse was set alight to dispose of the contents.  Unfortunately, this occurred inside the house and the occupants were not able to remove the box to the outside before it got out of control.

Damage caused by this fire is estimated to be $150, 000.00.

The Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call at 2:14 pm on Sunday December 27, 2020, the call reporting fire in a wall.  Dispatched to the scene were three engines, a ladder, rescue, battalion chief and fire investigator.

First arriving firefighters observed smoke coming from a home on the 200 block of Rever Road.  A walk around the building discovered fire venting form a rear window, soon followed by fire breaking out of a second window. 

Fire crews began by applying water through windows to knock down the flames, followed quickly by entering the homes and attacking the seat of the fire.  A search of the interior confirmed all occupants had evacuated.

The fire investigation has been completed and determined the fire started in a wall above a wood stove.  Damage caused by the fire is estimated at $275,000.00.

The cause of this fire remains undetermined as the investigation continues.  It is estimated the fire caused $200,000.00 damage to the home and a further $100,000.00 to the neighbouring house.

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The Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call at 10:32 pm Christmas Day reporting a house fire with flames impinging upon a neighbouring home on the 400 block Avenue I South.  Dispatched to the scene were four engines, a ladder, rescue, battalion chief and fire investigator.

First arriving firefighters confirmed a house fully involved with fire and a neighbouring home also caught fire.  They began to deliver water though window openings.  Once the second house fire was brought under control a search of the interior determined the house to be vacant.

Shortly after 11:00 pm the house with to most severe fire was brought under control to where firefighters could enter and begin the search for occupants.  All occupants were now accounted for.  There were no injuries to civilians or firefighters.

The cause remains under investigation.  More information will be provided as it becomes available.