Saskatoon Fire - News Releases

The Saskatoon Fire Department working in conjunction with Saskatoon Police Service and Saskatoon Search and Rescue as part of a stranded persons joint task force have fielded 130 calls for storm related assistance as of 11:00 am.

By 8:00 am this morning firefighters attended a total of 46 incidents, of which 23 were storm related and assisted 11 stranded motorists.  Fire crews were also able to assist transporting 7 Saskatchewan Health Authority staff to hospitals.

Calls for assistance have continued to come into the department this morning as 14 incidents have been dispatched as of 11:00 am, with 7 storm related calls, and two fires involving vehicles.

Residents are asked to stay off the streets and avoid any unnecessary travel. If travelling is necessary, adjust for driving conditions and watch for snow removal crews equipped with blue and amber flashing lights.

The Saskatoon Fire Department was busy overnight after enacting our winter storm operational plan to provide assistance where needed throughout the City of Saskatoon.

Prior to the storms as part of our pre-planning arrangements were made to obtain a variety of snow craft and AVTs.  Added to our fleet were two tracked side by sides, three snowmobiles and two ATVs.

Firefighters have been dispatched in the side by sides and snowmobiles to patrol select streets for abandoned vehicles to confirm no one remained inside, and to aid in the search for a missing person.

At 9:50 pm, the Fire Department received a call reporting a vehicle fire on the 100 block of Spinks Drive.  Dispatched to the scene was a Brush Truck due to its high ground clearance and four wheel drive capability.  This specialized vehicle normally used to fire wildland fires, was able to reach the scene and quickly extinguish the fire.

Fire crews remained on scene long into the night searching for hot spots until 11:30 pm, leaving the site with a security company.  They were called back at 7:50 am November 2, 2020 as smoke was observed coming from the remains of the building.

The investigation into the cause of the fire has determined the fire originated in the engine compartment of a semi-tractor parked inside the south side of the building.  Fire Investigators are returning to the scene today to determine the exact cause.  In total there were 8 semi-tractor units in the building.  It is estimated the fire caused in excess of $1,000,000.00.

….

The Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call at 12:54 pm reporting smoke in the 1900 block of Saskatchewan Avenue.  Dispatched to the scene were three engines, a ladder, a rescue, a battalion chief and a fire investigator.

The first arriving firefighters observed smoke coming from the roof line on all four side of a large industrial building.  Fire crews were committed to enter the building and encountered heavy smoke.  Progressing further inside accessing a mezzanine and encountering extreme heat.  Incident command observed fire breaking through the roof and ordered all interior crews to vacate the building.

Large hose lines were advanced to apply additional volumes of water into burned through opening in the roof.

Firefighters remain on scene putting out hot spots.

Updates will be sent out as information becomes available. 

The Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call at 12:54 pm reporting smoke in the 1900 block of Saskatchewan Avenue.  Dispatched to the scene were three engines, a ladder, a rescue, a battalion chief and a fire investigator.

The first arriving firefighters observed smoke coming from the roof line on all four side of a large industrial building.  Fire crews were committed to enter the building and encountered heavy smoke.  Progressing further inside accessing a mezzanine and encountering extreme heat.  Incident command observed fire breaking through the roof and ordered all interior crews to vacate the building.

Large hose lines were advanced to apply additional volumes of water into burned through opening in the roof.

Firefighters remain on scene battling the fire.

Further updates will be sent out as information becomes available. 

The Saskatoon Fire Department was kept busy this morning responding to a vehicle fire that spread to nearby grassland turned into a wildfire.

A 911 call at 9:45 am reported a vehicle on fire at the entrance to Cathedral Bluffs.  Dispatched to this location were one engine, one brush truck, one tanker and the battalion chief.

First arriving firefighters observed a SUV fully involved in fire with fire spreading onto the adjacent grassland.  A number of hose lines were advanced to tackle both vehicle and grassland simultaneously, quickly bringing the fire under control.

Upon extinguishment the scene was turned over to RCMP for further investigation.

At 03:35 on October 26, 2020 the Saskatoon Fire Department received a single 911 call for a reported structure fire of a vacant home in the 300 block of Avenue G South.  Three engines, a ladder truck, rescue truck and battalion chief were dispatched to the scene.

Crews arrived in 2 minutes, 16 seconds to find a shed fully involved in fire at the rear of a single family home which had been boarded shut.  Fire had extending into the building from the shed.

Fire crews quickly attacked the fire at the rear of the building to gain entry into the home where the fire had extended into the second floor of the building.  Crews search the entire building confirming no one was inside.  The fire was brought under control within 40 minutes of fire crews arriving on scene.

The fire investigator has releases the building to the owner with the completion of the on scene examination.  It has been determined the fire to be incendiary, causing $90,000.00 damage.

The Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call at 3:53 am on October 25, 2020 reporting a fire in the 600 block of Avenue I South.  Dispatched to the scene were three engines, a ladder, a rescue, a fire investigator and the battalion chief.

First arriving firefighters were on scene in 3 minutes, 20 seconds to a duplex.  They did not observe any visible flames or smoke, but did smell smoke in the air.  An initial report indicated the lone occupant was out of the house. 

A crew was assigned to enter the home and search for any occupants to confirm all had evacuated and to seek out the source of the fire.  This crew reported heat and smoke upon entering the interior.  As this crew proceeded into the house they did confirm there to be no occupants inside while discovering and extinguishing fire in the kitchen.

The fire investigator has completed the on scene examination and confirmed the fire originated in the kitchen, caused by unattended cooking on the stove top.  This fire resulted in an estimated $30,000.00 damage.

Hazmat technicians wrapped up their analysis and have confirmed the unknown substance to be non-hazardous.  It is a urea derivative, a colorless crystalline powder with little toxicity.  Crews are breaking down equipment and preparing to return to their stations.

....

At 11:30 am The Saskatoon Fire Department received notification of an unknown substance delivered to a business on the 300 block of Jessop Avenue.   Dispatched to the scene are one engine, the hazmat and decontamination units, mobile command and the battalion chief.

Hazmat technicians are preparing to enter the hot zone to begin examination of the product while.  As a precaution, firefighter/paramedics are assessing individuals who were have been in close contact with the substance.  No injuries or illness were presented.

More information will be provided as it becomes available.

At 11:30 am The Saskatoon Fire Department received notification of an unknown substance delivered to a business on the 300 block of Jessop Avenue.   Dispatched to the scene are one engine, the hazmat and decontamination units, mobile command and the battalion chief.

Hazmat technicians are preparing to enter the hot zone to begin examination of the product while.  As a precaution, firefighter/paramedics are assessing individuals who were have been in close contact with the substance.  No injuries or illness were presented.

More information will be provided as it becomes available.

Saskatoon Fire Department received an EMS notification of a motor vehicle collision involving multiple semi tractor-trailer units in the vicinity of College Drive and Circle Drive.  Dispatched to the scene were two engines, a rescue and a battalion chief.

Upon arrival firefighters found three semi tractors with B-trains involved in a collision.  Firefighters remain on scene.