Saskatoon Fire - News Releases

On February 19, 2022, at 5:11 pm, the Saskatoon Fire Department responded to a report from someone seeing smoke inside a house.  The caller did not know if any person(s) were home.  Three fire engines, a ladder truck, a rescue unit and the Battalion Chief responded.  First arriving fire crew reported light smoke showing from the front window.  Fire crews entered the residence and identified a fire in the bedroom and the laundry room with water present.  No fire just smoke residue from what appeared to be an extinguished fire.  The Fire Investigator was called to the scene.

Fire Investigator determined the fire was caused by smoking material catching combustibles on fire when an occupant fell asleep.  Occupant used water to extinguish the fire.  $2000 damage.  

The smoke alarm was missing.  Our occupant was lucky to have woken before receiving burns or the fire spread further with devastating outcomes.  The fire investigator confirmed that smoke alarm records were being maintained by the owner.  It appears an occupant of the home removed the smoke alarm.  Smoke alarms are a life saving device that alert occupants in the early onset of a fire to evacuate safely.  Never remove smoke alarms.  

The fire was small and smoke was removed which allowed the occupant to remain in the residence.  The Fire Investigator installed a smoke alarm prior to leaving the scene to ensure this small life safety device was in place and ready to do its "big" job.  

At 7:02 pm, on February 18, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a report of a garage on fire.  Three fire engines, one rescue unit, a ladder truck and the Battalion Chief responded.  On arrival, the garage had smoke showing.  Firefighters began preparing to enter the garage.  Incoming fire crews were assigned tactical duties to perform on their arrivals.  It was reported that there was paint, acetylene, oxygen tank and a vehicle inside.  Upon entry into the garage, firefighters encountered smoke and began advancing to the area on fire.  Consideration was given to the effects of heat and flame impingement on the tanks and chemicals stored inside as a safety precaution.  Utilities were shut down.  The fire was brought under control at 7:32 pm.

The Fire Investigator on call responded to the fire scene.  A scene examination was performed.  Occupant had been doing work inside the garage an hour prior to the fire.  Cause of the fire was sparks from a grinder that caught used rags in the area on fire.  Fire originated inside the garage where the work had been performed.  Occupant heard a loud bang when it was realized the garage was on fire.  Tires being stored overhead heating and catching fire were the source of the loud bang heard.  Damage is estimated to be $100,000.

No one was hurt as a result of this fire.

At 9:05 a.m. on February 11, 2022, the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) received a call reporting a fire on the second floor of an apartment building on the 200 block of Avenue N South. Four engines, one ladder, one rescue truck and one battalion chief were dispatched.  

Upon arriving, fire crews observed heavy smoke coming from a suite on the second floor of the building. One fire crew proceeded with an interior attack and advanced a hose line to apply water to the fire. Meanwhile, another crew continued to evacuate occupants on all floors of the apartment building.  

The fire was extinguished by 9:22 a.m. and crews began ventilating the building of residual smoke and carbon monoxide at 9:24 a.m. Once the building was fully vented, occupants were let back into their suites at 10:02 a.m. 

During the incident, two occupants required care and were treated by SFD’s firefighter-paramedics for smoke inhalation. One patient’s care was transferred to the ambulance service and taken to hospital; the other was released with minor injuries. Two cats were rescued from the burning suite; one was declared deceased on scene. 

SFD’s Fire Investigator deemed the cause of the fire as accidental due to careless use of a flammable device. Fire damage is estimated at $40,000. 

The Fire Investigator was able to re-enter the structure on February 8, 2022.  Scene examination for the fire in the 300 Block of 109th Street West has concluded.  Fire originated in the service/furnace room.  Cause of the fire has been determined to be accidental due to combustibles being too close to the water heater.  Combustible material was ignited by the flame of the water heater resulting in the fire.  

At 5:04 pm, Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) received a call of a structure on fire in the 400 Block of Avenue L North.  Three fire engines, one ladder unit, one rescue truck and the Battalion Chief responded.  The first arriving engine reported a structure with flame and smoke showing.  Tactical duties were assigned to incoming fire crews and the fire investigator was requested.  The location of the fire was identified in the basement and interior fire crew were assigned to enter the basement.  At 5:16 p.m., fire crews began knocking the fire down.  The Fire Investigator arrived at 5:46 p.m.

The Fire Investigator performed a cause and origin scene examination.  

Cause of the fire is undetermined at this time.  Fire originated in a basement bedroom.

Damage is estimated at $20,000.