Saskatoon Fire - News Releases

At 7:45 p.m. on July 11, 2022, the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) Communications Centre received a call reporting a structure fire in the 600 block of Hargreaves Avenue.  Dispatched to the fire scene were three fire engines, one ladder truck, one rescue unit and the Battalion Chief.  On arrival at 7:52 p.m., first arriving fire crews reported a fully involved structure fire.  Fire extends from the basement to the roof.  Responding fire crews were assigned tactical duties.  Utilities were shut down for scene safety.  The street was shut down for the public's safety.  At 8:09 p.m., fire crews were going defensive while they assessed the structure and its fire conditions while continuing extinguishment.  At 8:21 p.m., the fire is reported as knocked down in the basement and the fire in the roof being suppressed by the ladder truck.  At 8:38 p.m., fire crews were back in offensive mode and entering the structure once again to complete extinguishment in the interior areas.  

Fire crews are assessing neighboring properties for fire extension and carbon monoxide at this time.  This fire is still active.

A Fire Investigator has been dispatched to the scene.  Updates will provided as they become available.

The SFD is requesting that all residents avoid this area for their own safety and those of our firefighters.  

At 7:15 p.m., the Saskatoon Fire Department Communications Centre received a report of a fire in a shop in the 900 Block of Valley Road on July 9, 2022.  Dispatched to the fire were two fire engines, one rescue unit, a tanker truck, a brush truck and the Battalion Chief.  On arrival at 7:33 p.m., it was identified that a recreational vehicle and some pallets had been on fire.  Employees had used water to extinguish the items on fire near the building.  This fire had extended to the exterior of the shop.  Utilities were shut down for scene safety.  Fire crews began pulling exterior siding off to extinguish hot spots.  The attic was checked for fire extension into the roof.  Only smoke was identified in the attic.  At 8:03 p.m., fire crews declared the fire fully extinguished.

Fire crews turned the scene over to the R.C.M.P. and returned to their stations.  If a fire investigation is to be conducted, it will be performed by the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency.

At 9:55 p.m. on July 9, 2022, the Saskatoon Fire Department Communications Centre received multiple calls of a structure fire in the 10 Block of Westview Place.  Dispatched to the fire were three fire engines, one ladder truck, one rescue unit and the Battalion Chief.  First arriving fire crew reported heavy flame showing from the second floor of a 3 storey unit in a townhouse complex.  Tactical duties were assigned to all incoming fire crews.  At 10:03 p.m., fire crews reported have an initial knock down of the fire and began to complete extinguishment.  Utility services were shut down for scene safety.  The units in this townhouse complex are attached to one another so consideration on the fire ground was to prevent fire spread to other units.  During their interior extinguishment, many used needles were identified so caution by firefighters was utilized while they worked.  A Fire Investigator was dispatched to the scene.

This fire was brought under control at 10:25 p.m.  Fire crews worked to ensure there were no fire extensions or hot spots in the unit.  At 11:07 p.m., the incident commander declared the fire was fully extinguished.  Transfer of the fire scene to the Fire Investigator began.  Fire crews began packing up their equipment, tools and hose lines.  The last fire crew returned to their station at 12:31 a.m. where decontamination of all equipment began.  The fire trucks were replenished and firefighters were ready for the next call.  

The Fire Investigation has concluded.  It was reported that the unit was vacant but not secured.  Someone was seen in the unit at approximately 6:30 p.m. prior to the fire.  It is not known when this person(s) exited the structure.  Police did not have an investigator available to attend the scene but will continue the investigation.  Origin of the fire was in a bedroom.  Fire damage is estimated at $75,000.  Cause of the fire is suspicious.  

The SFD Fire Investigator had the unit secured/boarded prior to leaving the scene.  

If anyone has information related to this fire, please contact our Saskatoon Police Service at (306) 975-8300.

The Saskatoon Fire Department responded to multiple small fires that were deemed suspicious between 12:20 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. on July 9, 2022.

First call was in the 3100 Block of 33rd Street West for a dumpster fire at 12:20 a.m..  One fire engine responded and extinguished the fire.  No further damage was sustained.  Incident 22-10575  Damage estimated at $500.

Second call was for the 500 Block of Avenue H South for a dumpster fire at 1:07 a.m.  One fire engine responded and extinguished the fire.  No further damage was sustained.  Incident 22-10576  Damaged estimated at $500.

Third call was for the 600 Block of Avenue K South for a fence on fire at 1:49 a.m.  One fire engine responded and extinguished the fire.  No further damage was sustained.  Incident 22-10577  Damage estimated at $200.

Fourth call was for the 800 Block of Avenue H South for a shed on fire at 2:26 a.m.  Two fire engines responded and the Battalion Chief who had been searching the area for suspicious activity/person(s) responded as well.  On arrival a shed was fully involved and had caught two vehicles in its vicinity on fire.  This fire was brought under control at 2:42 a.m.  Incident 22-10578  Damage estimated at $25,000.

The Fire Investigator attended and it is believed that all fires were started using an open flame device such as a torch.  All fires are being considered suspicious as no other plausible cause of the fires were identified.  Police were unable to send one of their investigators but will continue the investigation and any further follow up. 

On July 7, 2022, the Saskatoon Fire Department had responded to a garage fire in the 900 Block of Avenue H South, suspicious fire causing $5000 damage.  This fire was attended by the Police Investigator and the Fire Investigator.  Cause of the fire was deemed suspicious.

If any one has information relating to any of these fires, please contact our partners at the Saskatoon Police Service at (306)975-8300.  

At 10:57 a.m. on July 8, 2022, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a call for smell of smoke inside a commercial establishment and smoke coming from the roof.  Dispatched to the fire were three fire engines, one rescue unit, one ladder truck and the Battalion Chief.  On arrival, smoke was showing from the roof but no evacuation of occupants had been initiated.  Fire crews were tasked with laddering the roof to begin extinguishment and other fire crews began evacuating the occupants to the North side of the street to keep everyone out of the smoke drift.  Approximately 130 occupants were evacuated by fire crews.  No occupants sustained injury.  An additional two fire engines were dispatched to the scene to support suppression and evacuation operations.  

The fire was contained to the roof area with smoke coming through the bathroom and furnace room ventilation system.  Fire crews had the fire under control at 11:31 p.m.  After firefighters confirmed there were no extensions or hot spots from the fire, they turned the scene over to the Fire Investigator.

Cause of the fire is from tarring being performed earlier in the day.  Origin of the fire was the roof top.  Damage is estimated at $25,000.  

Further follow up will be conducted by the Fire Prevention team of the SFD as the fire alarm was not activated by any person/staff.  It was determined that the fire alarm was not operational at the time of the fire.  Fire alarms are an alert and early warning system telling occupants that they must evacuate.  The establishment was closed down for the remainder of the night and directed to rectify immediate deficiencies prior to going back into operation.