Saskatoon Fire - News Releases

A fire investigator continues to search for the cause of a fire that occurred in the 2700 block of Eastview on the evening of May 12, 2020, citing it as undetermined at this time. The damage has been estimated at approximately $100,000 to the structure and affected contents.

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At approximately 8:13 p.m. on May 12, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received multiple 911 calls reporting a house on fire in the 2700 block of Eastview. Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief were dispatched for response. 

Upon arrival of the first responding fire engine, thick black smoke was observed exiting a single story residential house; the lone occupant was reported to have self-evacuated. Firefighters made entry through a side door, quickly locating a fire in the basement. Fire dispatchers requested the attendance of utility technicians as firefighters shut down the gas supply. Fire crews performed searches of the house, finding no further extension of the fire beyond the basement. Overhaul efforts were conducted to search for and extinguish remaining hot spots while the house was ventilated of remaining smoke and carbon monoxide.

There were no injuries to fire or civilian personnel as a result of this incident. A fire investigator is working to identify a cause and evaluate the damage.

At approximately 4:00 p.m. on May 12, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department responded with one fire engine, one water tanker, and one brush truck south to the area of Paradise Beach for multiple reports of a grass fire near the recreational site's parking lot.

Upon arrival, a small area of about 45 metres wide was burning near the South Saskatchewan River. The fire was brought under control within 20 minutes of arriving on scene. No structures were damaged and no injuries were reported as a result of this fire.

As this area is outside of the Saskatoon Fire Department's investigative jurisdiction, a cause of origin will not be provided.

At approximately 8:13 p.m. on May 12, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received multiple 911 calls reporting a house on fire in the 2700 block of Eastview. Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief were dispatched for response. 

Upon arrival of the first responding fire engine, thick black smoke was observed exiting a single story residential house; the lone occupant was reported to have self-evacuated. Firefighters made entry through a side door, quickly locating a fire in the basement. Fire dispatchers requested the attendance of utility technicians as firefighters shut down the gas supply. Fire crews performed searches of the house, finding no further extension of the fire beyond the basement. Overhaul efforts were conducted to search for and extinguish remaining hot spots while the house was ventilated of remaining smoke and carbon monoxide.

There were no injuries to fire or civilian personnel as a result of this incident. A fire investigator is working to identify a cause and evaluate the damage. 

At approximately 4:50 p.m. on May 12, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department was alerted by a retired staff member to a person in distress in the South Saskatchewan River. One fire engine, two water rescue units, and one battalion chief were dispatched to the scene. 

Upon arrival of responding fire crews the male in distress, presenting as uncooperative and threatening, was near the shore's edge in a location challenging to access. Water rescue units were deployed onto the South Saskatchewan River; fire and police personnel established a plan, working from both the shore's edge and the water to safely conduct the operation. Shortly after 5:30 p.m. the male was removed from the water and transferred to the Saskatoon Police Service.

Firefighters have since cleared the scene and returned to their stations to continue serving Saskatoon.

At approximately 7:38 a.m. on May 8, 2020, fire dispatchers were alerted by an incoming day shift battalion chief of black smoke in the district of Fire Station No. 1. One additional caller reported a fire behind a business in the 500 block of 20th Street West. Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief responded.

Fire crews arrived on scene in less than two minutes to find a small storage shed involved in fire. The fire was brought under control in less than 10 minutes from the time of the first fire engine arriving on scene. Fire crews examined a nearby commercial structure and confirmed that no extension of the fire occurred.

A fire investigator has identified the fire to be suspicious in nature with an approximate damage estimate of $1,000.