Saskatoon Fire - News Releases

At approximately 4:03 p.m. on August 25, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received notification through the Sask911 Prince Albert Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) of a mutual aid request in the Pike Lake, Saskatchewan area for reports of a missing child near the water. Two water rescue units and one battalion chief were dispatched from the Saskatoon Fire Department's fleet of apparatus.

Water rescue crews arrived on scene to find a nine year-old male patient unresponsive on the shoreline; he was being attended to by paramedics and police. It is understood that the child was not wearing a lifejacket or PFD when he was removed from the water. Alongside first responders from partner agencies, firefighter-paramedics assisted in conducting cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as STARS Air Ambulance prepared for transport of the patient to a hospital in Saskatoon; he was transported in critical condition at around 4:53 p.m.. 

The Saskatoon Fire Department would like to acknowledge the collaborative response to this incident that included Medavie Health Services West, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, STARS Air Ambulance, Delisle & District Fire Department, and the Saskatchewan Provincial Parks staff.

The investigation into a fire that occurred in the 100 block of Avenue Q South on August 23, 2020 has concluded. A fire investigator has identified the fire to be incendiary with damage estimated at $20,000. 

Members of the public are encouraged to report non-emergent suspicious activity to the Saskatoon Police Service by calling 306-975-8300; in an emergency, call 911 immediately. 

--

At approximately 1:12 p.m. on August 23, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call reporting a garage on fire in the 100 block of Avenue Q 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 within minutes, firefighters observed heavy smoke exiting from a large, four-car, partially boarded-up detached residential garage. Fire crews began an immediate attack on the fire, bringing the flames under control in less than 20 minutes from the time of the first fire engine arriving on scene. An on-scene utility provider assisted in terminating the utilities servicing the structure. Upon confirmation of a compromised roof system, firefighters exited the structure and continued full extinguishment from the exterior. There were no occupants or pets inside at the time of the fire; no injuries occurred as a result. 

Firefighters have concluded their work on scene and have since been re-deployed to continue serving Saskatoon and surrounding area. A fire investigator will be taking command of the scene to conduct a cause and origin determination.

At approximately 1:12 p.m. on August 23, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call reporting a garage on fire in the 100 block of Avenue Q 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 within minutes, firefighters observed heavy smoke exiting from a large, four-car, partially boarded-up detached residential garage. Fire crews began an immediate attack on the fire, bringing the flames under control in less than 20 minutes from the time of the first fire engine arriving on scene. An on-scene utility provider assisted in terminating the utilities servicing the structure. Upon confirmation of a compromised roof system, firefighters exited the structure and continued full extinguishment from the exterior. There were no occupants or pets inside at the time of the fire; no injuries occurred as a result. 

Firefighters have concluded their work on scene and have since been re-deployed to continue serving Saskatoon and surrounding area. A fire investigator will be taking command of the scene to conduct a cause and origin determination.

At around 8:09 p.m. on August 22, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received notification from an alarm monitoring company of an alarm activation in the 500 block of Queen Street. One fire engine was dispatched to investigate the cause of the activation. Upon arrival of that fire engine, visible smoke was observed to be exiting a window on the second level of the structure; two additional fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief were added to the response. 

The on scene fire crew immediately began softening the fire from the exterior until additional resources arrived to support an offensive fire attack strategy. The fire, that had originated on the main level of the structure, was considered to be under control at about 8:53 p.m.. Fire dispatchers requested the attendance of utility providers as multiple utilities to the structure were required to be shut down. Firefighters did not locate any occupants, pets, or further extension of the fire during interior searches and there were no injuries to fire or civilian personnel reported. Ventilation was conducted to evacuate high heat conditions and any remaining smoke or carbon monoxide from the structure.

The Saskatoon Police Service was on scene establishing scene safety and facilitating traffic flow through the area for the duration of this incident.

A fire investigator has confirmed this fire to have originated on the main level and has identified it to be incendiary in nature. Damage has been estimated at approximately $60,000. Members of the public are asked to report non-emergent suspicious activity by calling 306-975-8300; in an emergency, call 911 immediately. 

At around 10:54 p.m. on August 21, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received internal radio communication from the Saskatoon Police Service alerting to a possible structure fire at Dr. John G. Egnatoff School, located in the 200 block of Kenderdine Road. Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief were dispatched for response. It was reported to Police that neighbours had witnessed what appeared to be a ball of fire on the roof of the school.

Upon arrival, fire crews established a laddered connection to the roof and began searching for the fire. There was no fire located; however, firefighters did find discarded items and traces of an accelerant that had previously been on fire. While on scene, fire crews were were made aware of a youth male in the area with burns to his back and neck; firefighter-paramedics attended to the male before he was transported to hospital by ground ambulance for further treatment of what are believed to be minor burns.

No damage to the structure was identified; however, the fire investigator has reasonable evidence to suggest that an incendiary fire occurred.