Saskatoon Fire - News Releases

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.

At 5:39 a.m. on July 4, 2022, the Saskatoon Fire Department received report of a porch fully involved in the 300 block of Avenue J South.  Dispatched to the fire were three fire engines, one ladder truck, one rescue unit, and the Battalion Chief.  The first arriving fire crew reported heavy flames visible from the street.  

Neighbors to the structure fire on Avenue J South had evacuated their homes as a safety precaution.  Fire crews were assigned their tactical duties.  A priority for the firefighters was to protect the neighboring properties.  Extinguishment of the fire began from the exterior.  Utility companies were called to shut down service for scene safety.  This fire was brought under control at 5:51 a.m.  At 6:41 a.m., the firefighters declared the structure fire completely extinguished, no further signs of fire extension and hot spots. 

At 5:49 a.m., fire crews identified a fire in the yard of a property adjacent to the structure fire across the alley in the 300 Block of Avenue K South while extinguishing the Avenue J structure fire.  A fire crew was assigned and redeployed from the structure fire to extinguish items in the yard.  This separate fire was brought under control at 6:04 a.m.

No injuries to civilians or firefighters occurred as a result of this fire.  Both fire scenes were turned over to the Fire Investigator.  The fire investigations have concluded.

300 Block of Avenue J South (Structure fire)                                    300 Block of Avenue K South

Cause:  Suspicious                                                                               Cause:  Suspicious

Origin:  Porch                                                                                       Origin:  Couch in yard

Fire Damage:  $175, 000                                                                     Fire Damage:  $1500

Anyone with any information on these two fires, please call the Saskatoon Police Service at 306-975-8300.

At 8:43 p.m., the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) received a request by the Saskatoon Police Service to search for a possible person in the river.  Dispatched to the river were one engine company, an SFD boat and the Battalion Chief.  The SFD boat was in the river and heading to the last point scene at 8:52 p.m.  The shoreline and river were searched.  Using the SFD's handheld Sonar, equipment that uses sound waves underwater to identify objects, two objects of interest were identified at 9:22 p.m.  Divers from SFD entered the river and began searching the area.  At 9:51 p.m., a person was located and CPR was initiated.  

An SFD paramedic responded to the hospital with the ambulance service.  The scene and follow up were left with the Saskatoon Police Service.  

At 8:43 p.m., the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) received a request by the Saskatoon Police Service to search for a possible person in the river.  Dispatched to the river were one engine company, an SFD boat and the Battalion Chief.  The SFD boat was in the river and heading to the last point scene at 8:52 p.m.  The shoreline and river were searched.  Using the SFD's handheld Sonar, equipment that uses sound waves underwater to identify objects, two objects of interest were identified at 8:22 p.m.  Divers from SFD entered the river and began searching the area.  At 8:51 p.m., a person was located and CPR was initiated.  

An SFD paramedic responded to the hospital with the ambulance service.  The scene and follow up were left with the Saskatoon Police Service.  

At approximately 6:45 p.m. on June 9, the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) was notified approximately 6,000 litres to 8,000 litres of Sodium Hydroxide had spilled while being unloaded from a transport truck at an industrial site in the 100 block of McLeod Avenue.

One engine, a Battalion Chief, SFD’s Hazmat team and Command 9 were dispatched to investigate the scene. Upon arrival, crews found a storm drain closest to the spill had already been dammed by those on-site

The driver of the semi was treated for minor injuries at the scene but declined to be transported to hospital.

A Hazmat investigation determined there were no environmental impacts.

The fire investigation has concluded for the fire that occurred at 202 Kirkpatrick Crescent. The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental from barbeque briquettes that were not properly extinguished. Damage is estimated to be $320,000.

At 11:14 p.m. on June 6, the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) received a 9-1-1 call reporting two garages on fire on the 1500 block of Byers Crescent. Four engines, one ladder, one rescue truck and one battalion chief were dispatched. 

Upon arriving, fire crews observed two garages fully involved in flame. The fire crew began extinguishing the fire. Utilities were shut down for scene safety. The fire was brought under control at 11:35 p.m. The fire crew remained on scene to monitor hot spots before being released at 12:37 a.m. 

Several hours later, at 5:54 a.m. on June 7, SFD received a 9-1-1 call reporting a garage on fire on the 1200 block of Avenue G North. Three engines, one ladder, one rescue truck and one battalion chief were dispatched.  

Upon arriving, fire crews observed heavy black smoke and flames coming from the back of a garage. A minivan parked on the north side of the garage also caught fire. The fire crew began extinguishing the flames and brought the fire under control at 6:16 a.m. 

SFD’s Fire Investigators were dispatched to both locations to perform a cause and origin scene examination. Both fires have been determined to be suspicious. Saskatoon Police Service has been notified for further investigation.  

At Byers Crescent, there was damage reported on two detached garages, one shed and two vehicles. Damage is estimated to be $200,000. 

The damage at Avenue G North involved a detached garage, a fence, a vehicle and exterior damage to an adjacent garage. Damage is estimated to be $20,000.

At 5:04 a.m., the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) received a 9-1-1 call reporting a fire coming from a detached garage on the 600 block of Avenue J South. Three engines, one ladder, one rescue truck and one battalion chief were dispatched.

Upon arriving, fire crews observed a garage on fire with flames extending towards the roof. The fire crew began knocking down the flame and brought the fire under control at 5:18 a.m.

Later the same morning, at 5:59 a.m. SFD received a 9-1-1 call reporting a fence and garage on fire on the 500 block of Avenue E South. Two engines and one Lieutenant were dispatched.

Upon arriving, fire crews observed the exterior of two garages on fire. The fire crew began extinguishing the flames and brought the fire under control at 6:40 a.m.

SFD’s Fire Investigators were dispatched to both locations to perform a cause and origin scene examination. Both fires have been determined to be suspicious. Saskatoon Police Service has been called to each scene for further investigation.

Estimated damage at Avenue J South is $10,000.

The damage at Avenue E South was estimated at $10,000 per garage for a total of $20,000.

At 1:42 am the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) responded to a reported house fire. Three fire engines, one ladder truck, one rescue unit and the Chief Officer attended the fire scene. Two residents were at the home at the time of the fire. The fire crews entered the home and a fire was located in a basement bedroom where one male resident was found unresponsive. Fire crews removed the unresponsive resident from the basement and started CPR until the ambulance arrived. The patient was taken to St. Paul’s hospital with one Saskatoon Fire paramedic accompanying ambulance personnel. The home’s other resident sustained minor injury and remained at the scene. Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) have confirmed that the 64 year-old male taken to hospital has since succumbed to his injuries.

The early morning fire was contained to the bedroom and extinguished quickly. The SFD fire investigator was contacted and responded to the fire scene. SPS also had an arson investigator attend.

A fire cause and origin investigation was undertaken and it was determined that the fire was accidental, due to the fire victim actively smoking in bed while on assisted oxygen, causing a fire to occur. Fire damage is estimated at $25,000 dollars.

Saskatoon Fire has concluded its investigation.