Saskatoon Fire - News Releases
Saskatoon News Releases
Multiple Suspicious Overnight Fires - Structures/Garbage Bins
May 14, 2020 - 11:22 am
On May 14, 2020 between the hours of 2:59 a.m. and 3:16 a.m., the Saskatoon Fire Department responded to multiple reports of structures and commercial garbage bins on fire in the Pleasant Hill and Meadowgreen neighbourhoods. One additional commercial garbage bin fire was reported in the Lawson Heights neighbourhood at approximately 6:56 a.m.
Incident Timeline:
2:59 a.m. - three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief are dispatched to the 1900 block of 20th Street West for reports of two garage-like structures on fire; both structures belong to the same property, one with access from the street and the other from the alley. Firefighters bring the structure fires under control simultaneously within 10 minutes of arriving on scene. The property was boarded-up and confirmed to be unoccupied; no injuries are reported as a result of the incident.
3:07 a.m. - while extinguishing a structure fire from the street-side of a property in the 1900 block of 20th Street West, fire crews observe one commercial garbage bin on fire in an alley on the 2000 block of 20th Street West. One fire engine is re-deployed from the ongoing structure fires to attend to the garbage bin. Firefighters quickly extinguish the fire and check for extension to a nearby power pole and transformer; no extension of the fire is found.
3:09 a.m. - fire dispatchers receive multiple 911 calls reporting two commercial garbage bins on fire in the 500 block of Avenue X South. One fire engine is dispatched for response. Fire crews extinguish the fires in less than 10 minutes of arriving on scene.
3:16 a.m. - while on scene in the 500 block of Avenue X South, firefighters locate one additional commercial garbage bin on fire further down the block. The fire is fully extinguished minutes after the previous two.
6:56 a.m. - fire dispatchers receive a single 911 call reporting a commercial garbage bin on fire in the 100 block of Reindeer Road. One fire engine is dispatched for response. A small fire is extinguished in less than three minutes of arriving on scene using the fire engine's on-board water supply.
These fires are considered to be suspicious in nature and are under investigation by both the Saskatoon Fire Department and the Saskatoon Police Service. Members of the public are encouraged to report non-emergent suspicious activity by calling 306-975-8300; in an emergency, call 911 immediately.
UPDATE: Basement Fire - 2700 block of Eastview
May 13, 2020 - 11:40 am
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.
Small Grass Fire - Paradise Beach
May 12, 2020 - 9:42 pm
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.
Basement Fire - 2700 block of Eastview
May 12, 2020 - 9:25 pm
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.
Water Rescue - Person in Distress - area of Broadway Bridge
May 12, 2020 - 6:22 pm
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.