Saskatoon Fire - News Releases
Saskatoon News Releases
Retail Store Fire - 300 Confederation Drive
March 23, 2020 - 1:11 pm
At approximately 12:26 p.m. on March 23, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call reporting a fire inside a retail Canadian Tire store at the Confederation Mall. All staff and customers were reported to have self-evacuated prior to the arrival of fire crews.
Four fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one battalion chief, and one fire investigation unit were dispatched for response.
Upon arrival of the first responding fire engine, it was confirmed that a staff member equipped with a fire extinguisher had successfully put the fire out. Ventilation of the structure was conducted using electric fans to clear the retail store of remaining smoke and carbon monoxide.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by both the Saskatoon Fire Department and the Saskatoon Police Service; however, it is believed to be suspicious in nature, resulting in an estimated $5,000 worth of damage to the retail store and its contents.
There were no injuries to civilian or fire personnel as a result of this incident.
Fire in a Saskatoon Body Shop
March 21, 2020 - 5:10 pm
At approximately 15:40 this afternoon fire crews responded to black smoke coming from the overhead doors of a local body shop.
Dispatched were three pumps, one ladder truck, one rescue truck and Battalion Chief. On arrival crews found heavy smoke through out the building.
Entry was made and the seat of the fire found and quickly extinguished. A search of the building found no occupants.
The building was then ventilated and checked for any hot spots. An investigator is now on the scene checking for a cause .
There were no injuries sustained as a result of this incident.
Possible Structure Fire - 205 109th Street West
March 19, 2020 - 5:10 pm
At approximately 4:12 p.m. on March 19, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call alerting to a possible structure fire at 205 109th Street West. The caller reported smoke visibly exiting the house as multiple occupants evacuated.
Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, and one battalion chief were dispatched for immediate response.
Upon arrival of the first responding fire engine, a light haze and the smell of smoke was observed inside the house. Fire crews performed searches to verify that all occupants and pets had safely evacuated while also using a thermal imaging camera to search for heat inside the house.
All interior searches produced negative results and no heat or fire was located. While searching the exterior of the house, fire crews located a significant pile of improperly discarded smoking materials beneath the front steps. It was confirmed that this was the source of the smoke.
Fire crews performed ventilation of the house using electric fans before concluding their work on scene.
A fire investigator was not required to respond as no damage resulted from this fire. Additionally, there were no injuries to civilian or fire personnel on scene.
Garage fires keep fire crews busy
March 17, 2020 - 10:20 pm
Just after 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday March 17, 2020, The Saskatoon Fire Department received numerous 9-1-1 calls reporting a garge fire in the alley of the 1300 block 20th ST W. The first arriving engine was previously dispatched to a dumpster fire in the 1400 block of 20th ST W when they saw the garge fire and responded to the structure fire. Two more engines, 1 rescue, one ladder truck and a battalion chief all responded to the scene, a second engine was then dispatched to the original dumpster fire. Crews arrived to find a fire between two seperate garages which had caused flames to spread to both structures. Fire crews were able to quickly extinguish the fire of one garge and complete a search of it, the second garge had flames already into the attic and interior of the structure. Power lines were also downed by the fire and continued to arc causing firefighters to proceed with extreme caution.
Crews had the fire under control and had completed searches in both garages in approximately 40 minutes. A fire investigator was called to the scene.
There were no injuries reported at this incident and the cause is under investigation.
Fire Station No. 4 – Precautionary self-isolation ends
March 14, 2020 - 1:30 pm
On March 12, 2020 at approximately 4:00 p.m., the Saskatoon Fire Department in consultation with the Saskatchewan Health Authority, migrated our four firefighters from a self-isolation state to self-monitoring. Self- monitoring is required for 14 days after any risk of exposure. There are no restrictions on attending work or schools but an individual must avoid crowded spaces and vulnerable people. In addition, individuals must watch for new symptoms and be continuously tracking their body temperature.
The Saskatoon Fire Department had been in close communication with the four staff members who had self-isolated inside Fire Station No. 4 over an 18-hour period. The decision to remain in the station was jointly agreed upon by the staff members involved and Fire Department management. During this time, the fire station was closed to outside access and contingency plans were activated to maintain response coverage from a secondary location in the district.
The Saskatoon Fire Department continues to assess the COVID-19 pandemic through the guidance of the Emergency Management Organization and through the leadership of the Saskatchewan Health Authority. As a front-line emergency service, we are committed to a high level of planning and preparedness to maintain continued response in proudly serving the residents and visitors of Saskatoon.
The four staff members who were in isolation returned to duty for the start of their next scheduled shifts and the fire station has been placed back into service.
Factual and up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Saskatchewan can be found at www.saskatchewan.ca/coronavirus.
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