Saskatoon Fire - News Releases

At approximately 1:11 a.m. on June 6, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received multiple 911 calls reporting a structure on fire in the 300 block of Johnson Crescent. Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief were dispatched for response. 

Firefighters arrived on scene to find a fully involved detached garage with the fire extending towards the rear of the house. Power lines in the area were confirmed to have fallen; fire dispatchers contacted the appropriate utility providers to attend the scene. Fire crews connected to nearby hydrants and began an immediate defensive fire attack. Firefighters protected surrounding exposures, battling high heat conditions and a compromised structural integrity before bringing the fire under control at around 3:00 a.m.; hot spots were extinguished into the early hours of the morning.

Two occupants who had been unaccounted for, one male and one female, were confirmed to have not been home at the time of the fire. While conducting searches of the structure, two deceased dogs were located and removed by fire crews. Firefighters conducted overhaul and checked carbon monoxide levels at surrounding properties before concluding on scene and returning to their stations to continue serving Saskatoon. 

This fire remains under investigation; the house and detached garage are considered to be a total loss at an approximate value of $400,000. An update will be provided upon a cause and origin confirmation. 

At approximately 2:16 p.m. on June 5, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received multiple 911 calls reporting the attached garage of a residential structure on fire in the 200 block of Stechishin Crescent. Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief were dispatched for response.

The first fire engine arrived on scene within minutes to find a fully involved residential garage with heavy smoke and flame exiting the structure. Firefighters immediately connected to a nearby hydrant and initiated a defensive fire attack. It was confirmed with the home owners that all occupants had safely self-evacuated. Firefighters shut down utilities as fire dispatchers contacted utility technicians to attend the scene. The fire was brought under control at approximately 3:00 p.m. Fire crews performed searches of the structure using thermal imaging cameras to confirm that no further extension had occurred.

Firefighters are conducting overhaul efforts as a fire investigator begins to process the scene; a cause and damage estimate are not yet available.

At approximately 5:35 p.m. on June 2, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received multiple 911 calls reporting a brush fire in Corman Park, adjacent to the John G. Diefenbaker International Airport, at Whelan Road and Range Road 3061. One fire engine, two water tankers, two brush trucks, one battalion chief, and apparatus from the Saskatoon Airport Fire Department have been committed to this incident.

Firefighters arrived on scene and immediately established an on-site water supply using holding pools and water tankers. It was confirmed that there was no threat of further extension to anything other than brush. Fire crews from both departments worked together to successfully bring the fire under control within about one and a half hours from the time of fire dispatchers receiving notification of the incident. Firefighters remain on scene extinguishing hot spots and monitoring for flare-ups.

As this area falls outside of the Saskatoon Fire Department's investigative jurisdiction, a cause and origin determination will not be conducted.

At approximately 11:18 a.m. on June 2, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call from the lone occupant of an overturned vehicle in the 1700 block of Preston Avenue North; the caller reported to have struck a light standard and rolled before becoming trapped inside the vehicle. One fire engine, one rescue unit, and one battalion chief were dispatched for response.

Firefighters arrived on scene within minutes and began preparing the patient and vehicle for the extrication process. Fire dispatchers contacted the City of Saskatoon to attend to the downed light standard and electrical hazard. Extrication of the middle-aged female occupant was fully completed within about 13 minutes of first receiving notification of the incident. 

The occupant of the vehicle was medically assessed and found to have sustained only minor injuries; she was released on scene. The Saskatoon Police Service provided traffic control to aid in establishing a safe work environment for the duration of this incident.

Fire crews performed fluid and debris clean-up before clearing the scene and returning to their stations to continue serving Saskatoon. 

At approximately 5:00 a.m. on June 2, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call reporting an area of brush on fire that was threatening a nearby shed. One fire engine and one fire investigation unit were dispatched for response.

Firefighters arrived on scene in less than four minutes to find a fully involved shed and surrounding brush on fire. An immediate attack was made using the fire engine's on-board water supply; the fire was considered under control within about 10 minutes of the fire crew's arrival. Firefighters breached the shed door and confirmed it to be clear of any occupants.

A fire investigator has identified the fire to be incendiary with damage estimated at approximately $5,000.

At approximately 3:27 a.m. on June 2, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department, at the request of the Saskatoon Police Service, responded to the train bridge that crosses Idylwyld Drive North at Circle Drive East to assist with a person in distress. One fire engine, one aerial ladder truck, and one battalion chief attended the scene.

Upon arrival, fire and police personnel established a plan that would involve the aerial ladder truck and rope rescue technicians if the need for a rescue were to escalate. Fire dispatchers contacted the rail provider to halt an oncoming train until resolution of the incident. In less than one hour from the time of notification, the individual safely self-rescued and was left in the care of the Saskatoon Police Service.

Firefighters concluded on scene, returning to their stations to continue serving Saskatoon.

At approximately 12:11 p.m. on May 30, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received multiple 911 calls reporting a significant amount of smoke in the area of Highway 11 at Floral Road; fire dispatchers obtained information indicating a structure was believed to be on fire. Two fire engines, two water tankers, one brush truck, one rescue unit, and one battalion chief were dispatched for response.

Upon arrival, a shed-like structure was confirmed to be a total loss and a pile of cut wood was actively burning. Fire crews that were not required were canceled and directed to return to their stations by the commanding fire officer. Firefighters set up holding pools and used water tankers to establish a water supply at the fire scene. Fire crews remain on scene extinguishing the fire; there is minimal risk of extension at this time.

This is the second fire at this location in recent weeks.

At approximately 7:56 a.m. on May 30, 2020, a fire engine returning from a previous incident observed heavy black smoke in the area that they were traveling in; the fire engine had just located the source as fire dispatchers processed a 911 call reporting a structure on fire in the 1500 block of Avenue H North. Two additional fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief were dispatched for response.

The first fire engine arrived on scene in less than two minutes to find a structure and surrounding furniture on fire in a residential yard. Firefighters used the fire engine's on-board water supply to begin extinguishment of the flames. In less than 10 minutes from the time of the first fire engine locating the source, the commanding fire officer had declared the fire to be under control.

A fire investigator has identified the fire to accidental and caused by improperly extinguishing an open-air backyard fire. Damage has been estimated at approximately $5,000. More information on backyard fire pits can be found by visiting saskatoon.ca/firepits.

At approximately 11:31 p.m. on May 29, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received multiple 911 calls reporting a possible garage on fire in the 200 block of Avenue L South. Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief were dispatched for response.

The first responding fire engine arrived on scene in less than four minutes to find a fully involved residential garage; firefighters immediately extended hose lines to protect a nearby exposure and initiate extinguishment of the fire. Flames were brought under control in less than 15 minutes from the time of fire dispatchers first receiving notification of the incident. There were no injuries as a result of this fire.

A fire investigator has concluded on scene, identifying the fire to be incendiary with damage estimated at approximately $8,000.

The investigation into a fire that occurred earlier this afternoon, May 29, 2020, has concluded; a fire investigator has confirmed the fire to be incendiary. Due to the extent of previous damage, an estimate of resulting damage from this fire will not be provided.

Under the direction of the Saskatoon Fire Department, an agent of the property owner agreed to expedite demolition to minimize the imminent risk of collapse and maintain the best interests of community safety. At approximately 6:40 p.m., this evening, the structure was successfully leveled by an outside contractor; a fire investigator remained on scene to oversee the demolition process. The Fire Prevention and Investigation section will conduct follow-up to confirm future compliance with the original terms of the demolition order posted to this property.

A fenced enclosure has been erected until proper disposal of debris and subsequent leveling of the site occurs.

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At approximately 3:24 p.m. on May 29, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call reporting a boarded-up residential structure on fire in the 300 block of Avenue P South. Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief were dispatched for response. 

The first fire engine arrived on scene within minutes to find a small fire burning at the rear of the structure. The fire was quickly contained by way of a defensive fire attack; the commanding fire officer instructed all responding fire apparatus to return to their stations upon confirmation of a manageable fire.

Due to extensive recent fire damage, a demolition order has previously been posted; the nuisance property must be leveled by June 24, 2020 to comply with the order.

A fire investigator has responded and will identify a cause and assess the resulting damage.