Saskatoon Fire - News Releases

At around 4:40 p.m. on August 16, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call reporting the back of a residential structure to be on fire in the 300 block of Avenue R South. Four fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief were committed to this incident. 

Arriving on scene in just over three minutes, firefighters found a fully involved residential structure with flames extending towards exposures at two adjacent properties; it was soon confirmed that one of these adjacent properties was also involved in fire. The commanding fire officer made an informed decision to deploy an aerosol fire suppression tool, otherwise referred to as a fire suppression grenade, into one of the involved structures to rapidly control the heat and spread of fire. Fire dispatchers contacted the appropriate utility technicians for attendance to address a compromised power pole and shut down utilities to the affected structures. Fire crews performed searches of the structures and confirmed there to be no occupants or pets inside. Both involved structures were boarded-up at the time of the fire. Firefighters ensured there was no further extension occurring before the fire was declared under control at approximately 6:07 p.m. 

There were no injuries to fire or civilian personnel as a result of this incident. A cause and damage estimate are not available at this time. 

The Saskatoon Fire Department has had aerosol fire suppression tools in select fire apparatus for about one year; in recent months, coverage of this equipment has been expanded into additional fire apparatus to continue protecting life and property in the City of Saskatoon and surrounding area.

At approximately 9:10 a.m. on August 16, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call reporting the passenger cabin of a semi unit on fire in the area of 71st Street East and Burron Avenue. The caller was unsure of the occupancy of the semi. Two fire engines, one rescue unit, and one battalion chief responded. 

Arriving on scene in about four minutes, fire crews located a fully involved semi unit and immediately began flowing a mixture of water and foam through a hose line to extinguish the flames. Firefighters forced entry into the passenger cabin and confirmed there to be no occupants inside. The commanding fire officer declared the loss to be stopped at around 9:33 a.m. 

The Saskatoon Police Service attended the scene to gather information and make contact with the operator as the semi unit was no longer able to be driven; the scene was left in their care prior to fire crews clearing the scene and returning to their stations. 

At approximately 5:39 p.m. on August 11, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call reporting persons in the South Saskatchewan River, holding onto logs in an area downstream of the University Bridge. One fire engine, one water rescue unit, one battalion chief were committed to this incident. 

Water Rescue One with three surface water technicians aboard was deployed onto the South Saskatchewan River from an emergency boat launch and proceeded to rescue an individual located 225 meters upstream from the buoys, then continued further downstream to retrieve the second person.  Neither individual were wearing life jackets.

The rescued adults, one male and one female, were brought to shore, assessed by firefighter/paramedics and after determining they sustained no injuries, were turned over to the Saskatoon Police Service.

The Saskatoon Fire Department encourages all river users to wear life jackets.

At 2:29 am the Saskatoon fire department began receiving 911 calls reporting a fire in the 500 block of Ave G South.  Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief were dispatched for response.  The first fire crews were on scene 2 minutes and 45 seconds after leaving the fire station and observed flames between two houses.

Fire crews advanced a hose line to begin putting water on the fire and quickly suppressed further fire growth.

Fire damage was sustained to the exterior of the two occupied homes.  There were no injuries as a result of this fire and a fire investigator estimates damages at $3000, while the cause if the fire remains under investigation.

At 11:11 pm, fire communications center received a call for a garage fire in the 800 block of 9th Avenue North.  3 engine companies, a rescue unit, a ladder truck, and the battalion chief were dispatched.  On arrival, the incident commander reported a garage fully involved in fire.  Firefighters gained access by using a chainsaw to enter through the overhead door.  For safety reasons, Saskatoon Light and Power was requested and they disabled the power line due to fire impingement.  Garages to the north and south sustained damage as well.

No injuries to civilians or firefighters occurred at this incident.

An under control of the fire was called at 11:29 pm.  A fire investigator was called to the scene and conducted a cause and origin scene examination.  The cause of the fire has been determined as incendiary with $30,000 damage being sustained. 

At 11:11 pm the Saskatoon Fire Department began receiving multiple 911 calls reporting a fire in the 800 block of 9^th Ave North.  Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief were dispatched for response. The first fire crews were on scene 3 minutes and 13 seconds after leaving the fire station and observed flames between two houses.

First arriving fire crews observed a detach garage with fire burning through the roof.  Using a chain saw to breach the overhead garage door, crews applied water into the building.  A downed power line necessitated extra precautions while working to extinguish the fire.

There were no injuries as a result of this fire.  A fire investigator is on scene to determine fire cause and damage estimates.

Saskatoon Fire Department's evening of fires started at 1727 hours when our communications centre received a call reporting a kitchen fire at a commercial restaurant on 24th Street East.  Four pumpers, a ladder truck, battalion chief and fire investigator responded to the call.  On arrival, light smoke was showing from the roof and fire crews found a fire in the commercial kitchen that extended into the ceiling space.  This fire was brought under control at 1757 hours.  The fire investigator identified that the fire originated on the top of the commercial cooking equipment.  Cause of the fire has been deemed an accidental grease fire that caused $10 000 in damage.

The fire investigator remains on scene for the fire that occurred at 0224 hours in the 500 block of Albert Avenue.  An update on the cause and origin will be released once the scene examination has been completed.

SFD received a call at 0649 hours, for a report of smoke showing in a basement in the  1100 block of 6th Street East.  Three pumpers, a ladder truck, a rescue unit, battalion chief and a fire investigator responded to the scene.  Fire crews on arrival identified a small fire in the basement.  No injuries occurred as a result of this fire.  A fire investigator is currently on scene completing the fire investigation.  Damage is $5000 from this fire that originated on the top of the stove.

Fire crews have cleared from these incidents and continue to serve our community.

The Saskatoon Fire Department responded to a structure fire where multiple 911 calls were received at 02:24 am. Neighbours reported through these calls that the 2 ½ storey house was fully involved in fire. The multi suite residential structure fire occurred in the 500 block of Albert Avenue.

Four engine companies, one rescue truck, one ladder truck, and Battalion Chief were part of the initial response. On arrival the first arriving apparatus found the structure fully involved with flame impinging on both neighboring homes to the north and south. 

Crews initially advanced hand lines to protect the exposure building from further damage then conducted a transitional fire attack to reduce the extensive flame and heat before entering the home. Once safe to do so, crews entered the home from the front of the building on the main floor and on the second floor through the rear of the building aggressively attacking the fire, while conducting a search on each floor of the building.  At approximately 03:04 a person was located on the third floor. 

There were seven people currently residing at the property. Six people were able to evacuate from the structure fire. Two people were transported to hospital. One person was found deceased.

A Saskatoon Fire Department Investigator and Saskatoon Police Service remain on scene at this time. A damage estimate and determination of cause is not available at this time.

At approximately 8:13 p.m. on August 1, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call reporting a detached residential garage on fire in the 200 block of Avenue G South. Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief were dispatched for response. 

Arriving on scene in about two minutes, fire crews located a fully involved garage producing a significant amount of black smoke. As fire crews began connecting to nearby hydrants, the commanding fire officer notified fire dispatchers of a power pole on fire in the area and requested the attendance of the appropriate utility technicians. The fire, that had extended to a neighbouring fence, was quickly brought under control. Searches of the structure confirmed there to be no occupants or pets inside at the time of the fire and no injuries occurred as a result of this incident. Firefighters concluded their work on scene at around 9:14 p.m. and turned the scene over to a fire investigator. 

The fire investigator has confirmed this fire to be incendiary and has estimated the damage at approximately $30,000.

At approximately 7:25 a.m. on August 1, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received multiple 911 calls reporting black smoke exiting a residential structure in the 800 block of 20th Street West. Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief were dispatched for response. 

The first fire engine arrived on scene in two minutes to find a small bungalow with smoke visible from the exterior; firefighters were alerted on scene to the possibility of an occupant in the basement. Immediately connecting to nearby hydrants and making entry into the structure, firefighters located and extinguished a fire in the basement. All occupants were soon accounted for and were confirmed to have safely self-evacuated prior to the arrival of fire crews. Firefighters considered the fire to be under control by about 7:46 a.m. and confirmed the fire to have been contained to the basement. Ventilation was started to clear a significant amount of smoke from the structure. While performing searches, one deceased cat was located in the basement. Fire crews have since concluded on scene and returned to their stations to continue serving Saskatoon. 

A fire investigator has identified this fire to be accidental as a result of the improper disposal of smoking materials. Damage is estimated at approximately $25,000.