Saskatoon Fire - News Releases

This incident occurred at approximately 2:33 a.m. on May 27, 2020, not 2:33 p.m. as was previously reported.

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At approximately 2:33 p.m. on May 27, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call from a passerby reporting a house on fire in the 100 block of Avenue O South. Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief attended the scene.

Upon arrival, firefighters located a fire at the rear of a boarded-up residential structure. A connection to a hydrant was made and an immediate offensive fire attack was initiated. Fire crews confirmed the fire to have move upwards towards the attic and began extinguishment from both the interior and exterior. An arcing power line, presenting as a hazard at the rear of the property, forced fire crews to retreat from the area and reposition to continue the fire attack from a safer location. A complete loss stopped was called by the commanding fire officer in about 50 minutes from the time of fire dispatchers first receiving notification of the incident. Searches of the structure confirmed there to be no occupants inside. No injuries were sustained to fire or civilian personnel as a result of this incident.

A fire investigator has found the fire to have involved both a residential garbage bin and the structure. This fire has been identified as incendiary and damage is estimated at approximately $30,000.

At approximately 2:33 p.m. on May 27, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call from a passerby reporting a house on fire in the 100 block of Avenue O South. Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief attended the scene.

Upon arrival, firefighters located a fire at the rear of a boarded-up residential structure. A connection to a hydrant was made and an immediate offensive fire attack was initiated. Fire crews confirmed the fire to have move upwards towards the attic and began extinguishment from both the interior and exterior. An arcing power line, presenting as a hazard at the rear of the property, forced fire crews to retreat from the area and reposition to continue the fire attack from a safer location. A complete loss stopped was called by the commanding fire officer in about 50 minutes from the time of fire dispatchers first receiving notification of the incident. Searches of the structure confirmed there to be no occupants inside. No injuries were sustained to fire or civilian personnel as a result of this incident.

A fire investigator has found the fire to have involved both a residential garbage bin and the structure. This fire has been identified as incendiary and damage is estimated at approximately $30,000.

The Saskatoon Fire Department has concluded the on-scene investigation into a two-alarm, multi-residential, multi-structure fire that occurred in the 100 block of East Hampton Boulevard on the evening of May 23, 2020.

A fire investigator has identified the cause of the fire to be accidental in nature as a result of the improper disposal of smoking materials; the fire originated in an area between two of the structures involved and quickly spread. Damage incurred is now estimated to be in excess of $1,300,000.

Members of the public are advised to dispose of smoking materials in a metal, ceramic, or glass container with a tight-fitting lid and enough sand or water at the bottom to cover the discarded smoking materials. The container should have enough weight that it can not be easily tipped over or moved by weather conditions. Smoking material fires are preventable fires; be sure to properly put it out.

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At approximately 6:11 p.m. on May 23, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received multiple 911 calls reporting a fire in the 100 block of East Hampton Boulevard. Nine fire engines, one rescue unit, two aerial ladder trucks, and one fire investigation unit have been committed to this incident. In addition, all support officials with the Saskatoon Fire Department were notified, some of whom also responded to the scene.

Upon arrival, the commanding fire officer noted two residential structures fully and heavily involved in fire. Defensive aerial and ground-level attacks were immediately initiated as firefighters communicated with home owners to ensure all occupants had safely self-evacuated. Utilities to all involved structures were terminated and utility technicians were contacted to attend the fire scene. The fire was brought under control in less than one hour from the time of fire dispatchers being notified of the incident. No injuries were sustained to fire or civilian personnel as a result of this fire.

A fire investigator is interviewing witnesses, gathering evidence, and analyzing fire science as the scene is processed. Preliminary information has indicated damage to be approximately $1,000,000; this estimate is subject to change as the fire investigation continues. An update will be provided as new information becomes known.

The investigation into a fire that damaged two residential structures in the 2000 block of Kensington Road on May 24, 2020 has concluded. The cause of the fire is considered accidental and understood to be the self-heating of a hot material that had been deposited into a household recycling bin. A fire investigator has estimated damage at approximately $30,000.

Information on acceptable items to deposit into a household recycling bin can be found at saskatoon.ca/recycling.

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At approximately 2:23 p.m. on May 24, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received multiple 911 calls with reports varying from smoke in the area to multiple residential structures on fire. Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief were dispatched for immediate response.

Prior to the arrival of fire crews, bystanders were reported to be successfully extinguishing the fire. Upon arrival, a mostly extinguished fire that had caused notable damage to two residential structures was observed. All occupants had safely self-evacuated and no injuries were sustained. Firefighters verified that the fire had not extended further into either structure before establishing ventilation to clear smoke from the interior of one of the structures involved.

The fire is currently under investigation; a damage estimate is not yet available.

At approximately 4:29 a.m. on May 25, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call alerting to a garage on fire in the 1200 block of Avenue H North. Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief responded. 

The first fire engine arrived on scene in four minutes to find a residential detached garage fully involved in fire. Firefighters immediately began fire suppression, bringing the flames under control in less than 10 minutes from the time of arrival. Utilities to the garage were shut off and overhaul was performed; exposure to a nearby property was noted and fire crews verified that no further extension had occurred. Searches of the garage confirmed there to be no occupants. There were no injuries to staff or civilians as a result of this fire.

A fire investigator has concluded the on-scene investigation, identifying the cause of the fire to be incendiary. Damage to the structure of origin and exposures has been estimated at $10,000 collectively.

At approximately 7:56 p.m. on May 24, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a direct phone call alerting to a potential public hazard in the 200 block of 4th Avenue South; the building operator of a large commercial structure reported a backlit sign that had become unfastened from the building and was hanging dangerously over the sidewalk below. One aerial ladder truck was initially dispatched to investigate the concern.

Upon arrival, the commanding fire officer confirmed a large metal sign to be unsecured from the building and identified the need for additional resources; one rescue unit, staffed with a technical rescue team, was deployed to the scene. A battalion chief also responded to oversee operations.

Once briefed, the technical rescue team established a plan of action involving anchor points on the roof of the 10-story building; rope rescue technicians repelled down the side of the building, successfully removing one piece and securing a second piece of the sign at approximately 9:44 p.m. The Saskatoon Police Service restricted vehicular and pedestrian traffic in the 200 block of 4th Avenue South for the duration of this incident.

Fire crews have since cleared the scene, returning to their stations to continue serving Saskatoon.

At approximately 2:23 p.m. on May 24, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received multiple 911 calls with reports varying from smoke in the area to multiple residential structures on fire. Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief were dispatched for immediate response.

Prior to the arrival of fire crews, bystanders were reported to be successfully extinguishing the fire. Upon arrival, a mostly extinguished fire that had caused notable damage to two residential structures was observed. All occupants had safely self-evacuated and no injuries were sustained. Firefighters verified that the fire had not extended further into either structure before establishing ventilation to clear smoke from the interior of one of the structures involved.

The fire is currently under investigation; a damage estimate is not yet available.

At approximately 6:11 p.m. on May 23, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received multiple 911 calls reporting a fire in the 100 block of East Hampton Boulevard. Nine fire engines, one rescue unit, two aerial ladder trucks, and one fire investigation unit have been committed to this incident. In addition, all support officials with the Saskatoon Fire Department were notified, some of whom also responded to the scene.

Upon arrival, the commanding fire officer noted two residential structures fully and heavily involved in fire. Defensive aerial and ground-level attacks were immediately initiated as firefighters communicated with home owners to ensure all occupants had safely self-evacuated. Utilities to all involved structures were terminated and utility technicians were contacted to attend the fire scene. The fire was brought under control in less than one hour from the time of fire dispatchers being notified of the incident. No injuries were sustained to fire or civilian personnel as a result of this fire.

A fire investigator is interviewing witnesses, gathering evidence, and analyzing fire science as the scene is processed. Preliminary information has indicated damage to be approximately $1,000,000; this estimate is subject to change as the fire investigation continues. An update will be provided as new information becomes known.

At approximately 12:45 p.m. on May 23, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call alerting to a possible fire at a boarded-up and vacant residential structure in the 1900 block of 22nd Street West. Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief were dispatched for response.

Upon arrival, fire crews located a small fire burning at the rear of the structure; it was brought under control within minutes of arriving on scene. Firefighters forced entry to the structure to confirm vacancy and search for extension; finding no occupants or extension, fire crews cleared the scene and returned to their stations to continue serving Saskatoon.

Minimal damage occurred as a result of this fire; however, previous fire damage to the structure has left the property uninhabitable. The fire is presenting as suspicious and a fire investigator is working to confirm a cause.

On May 23, 2020, at approximately 3:53 a.m., the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call alerting to a possible fire in the area of 22nd Street West; internal radio communication with the Saskatoon Police Service confirmed the fire to be in the 100 block of Avenue S South. Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief responded. 

Upon arrival, firefighters confirmed a shed to be fully involved in fire with extension to a nearby tree; the fire was brought under control in about five minutes from the time of the first fire engine arriving on scene. There were no injuries reported and a fire investigation has been initiated to identify a cause of origin and damage estimate.