Saskatoon Fire - News Releases

At approximately 6:46 a.m. on May 23, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call from a passerby reporting a residential structure on fire in the 300 block of Avenue S 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 in less than four minutes to find a small fire burning on the exterior of the structure. Fire crews initiated an immediate attack on the fire and began to search for occupants and extension. The lone occupant, presenting as uncooperative and threatening, refused to vacate the structure; the Saskatoon Police Service was requested to force removal of the occupant, allowing firefighters to safely continue their work on the interior. Fire crews confirmed there to be no further extension of the fire and established ventilation to clear the structure of smoke and carbon monoxide. The fire was brought under control in less than 10 minutes from the time of arrival and nearby exposures were successfully protected by firefighters.

There were no injuries reported as a result of this incident. A fire investigator is working to identify a cause and assess the damage.

The Saskatoon Fire Department received a single 911 call at approximately 10:41 p.m. on May 21, 2020 reporting a possible structure fire in the 400 block of Avenue V South. 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, a fire was confirmed to be burning on the main floor of a residential structure. Fire crews established connections to nearby hydrants and began a transitional attack on the fire to soften it from the exterior before making entry. The fire was brought under control in less than 30 minutes from the time of the first fire engine arriving on scene. Searches of the structure confirmed there to be no occupants or further extension of the fire. Ventilation was conducted using electric fans to clear the structure of remaining smoke and toxins. There were no injuries reported as a result of this incident.

Fire crews have concluded on scene and a fire investigator is working to identify a cause and damage estimate.

At approximately 9:54 p.m. on May 21, 2020, fire dispatchers received multiple 911 calls reporting a semi-trailer unit on fire near a large commercial structure. Four fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, and one battalion chief were immediately dispatched to the scene.

Upon arrival, fire crews confirmed a semi-trailer unit to be heavily involved in fire and began extinguishment; the fire was quickly brought under control and firefighters successfully protected the nearby commercial structure from extension of the fire. The structure was searched to ensure no occupants were present and property owners were contacted to attend the scene. No injuries occurred as a result of this fire.

Fire crews have since cleared the scene and were promptly re-deployed to continue serving citizens at incoming emergencies. 

At approximately 9:39 p.m. on May 21, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received many 911 calls reporting a garage on fire in the 100 block of Avenue K South. 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 in less than four minutes to find a boarded-up residential garage fully involved in fire. A connection to a nearby hydrant was made and fire crews immediately began flowing water and foam to extinguish the fire; it was brought under control within minutes of the first fire engine arriving on scene. Upon searching the garage, firefighters confirmed there to be no occupants or further extension of the fire. There were no injuries reported as a result of this incident.

A fire investigator is on scene working to identify a cause and assess the damage.

At approximately 10:39 p.m. on May 20, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call reporting a lightning strike to a residential structure on South Point Drive in the Ashwood Estates district of Corman Park; the caller advised of smoke exiting the roof and attic area of the structure. Two fire engines, one rescue unit, one water tanker, one brush truck, and one battalion chief were dispatched for response. 

Upon arrival, a small fire was located in the attic and two occupants were confirmed to have self-evacuated to a safe location with their two dogs. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire using a manual pump-tank; a variety of tools were used in conducting overhaul efforts to ensure all affected insulation and charred building material was fully extinguished and safely removed from the structure.

Firefighters advised the occupants of resources to contact in the coming days and have since returned to their stations to continue serving Saskatoon and surrounding area. As this area falls outside of the Saskatoon Fire Department's investigative jurisdiction, a confirmed cause and damage estimate will not be provided. No injuries to fire or civilian personnel were reported as a result of this incident.

At approximately 8:01 a.m. on May 20, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received multiple 911 calls reporting a boarded-up residential property on fire in the 1600 block of Avenue C North. Four fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief have been committed to this incident.

Upon arrival, heavy smoke and flame conditions were observed. Firefighters immediately began connecting to nearby hydrants and evacuating neighbouring properties. Defensive ground-level and aerial attacks were initiated to gain control of the fire and protect surrounding exposures. All utilities supplying the property had previously been terminated. A partial collapse occurred minutes prior to the fire being brought under control at approximately 9:00 a.m. Firefighters remain on scene monitoring for flare-ups and performing overhaul efforts. The Saskatoon Police Service assisted in restricting traffic flow through the area for the duration of this incident.

A fire investigator is beginning to process the scene; an investigative update will be provided upon additional information becoming known.

At approximately 4:54 p.m. on May 19, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received multiple 911 calls reporting a growing grass fire in the Rural Municipality of Corman Park near Highway 16 East and Market Drive. One fire engine, one water tanker, and one brush truck were dispatched for response.

Upon arrival, fire crews noted an area of grass on fire adjacent to a set of train tracks. A separate fire, believed to be associated with the first reported fire, was observed approximately 1.5-kilometres away. Fire crews have contained both fires and continue to extinguish hot spots in the area. There have been no reported injuries as a result of this incident and no structures were at risk of becoming involved.

The Corman Park Police Service has responded and is assisting with traffic control in the area. A confirmed cause and damage estimate will not be provided by the Saskatoon Fire Department.

At approximately 12:43 p.m. on May 19, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department was alerted by the Saskatoon Police Service to a person at risk on the University Bridge. One fire engine, two water rescue units, and support officials were dispatched to the scene.

Water rescue units were immediately deployed onto the South Saskatchewan River. While navigating the waterway towards the University Bridge, the commanding fire officer alerted rescuers of a confirmed person in the water. Firefighters worked from the shoreline to maintain visual contact as rescuers approached the location by boat. One female patient was removed from the water and medically assessed; she has been transported to hospital for treatment of what are believed to be minor injuries.

Firefighters concluded their work on scene and have returned to their stations to continue serving Saskatoon.

At approximately 6:21 p.m. on May 18, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a mutual aid request from the Whitecap Dakota First Nation to assist in controlling a working residential structure fire. Two fire engines, one rescue unit, one water tanker, one brush truck, and one battalion chief were immediately dispatched for response. It was reported that a neighbour had alerted and assisted in evacuating all occupants from the involved structure.

While responding, firefighters were notified of the fire being brought under control by the on-scene volunteer fire department; all responding fire apparatus from the Saskatoon Fire Department were canceled with the exception of one fire engine and one battalion chief continuing to the scene. Upon arrival, firefighters confirmed a working residential structure fire and began assisting the volunteer fire department from the Whitecap Dakota First Nation in continuing extinguishment of the fire.

There were no injuries to fire or civilian personnel as a result of this incident. The structure involved has been extensively damaged; however, as this area falls outside of the Saskatoon Fire Department's investigative jurisdiction, a confirmed cause and damage estimate will not be provided.

The Saskatoon Fire Department wishes to correct the name of the wildlife agency that had requested the investigation into the possible entrapment of a pelican in the weir on the evening of May 17, 2020. The agency involved was the Wildlife Rehabilitation Society of Saskatchewan, not the Saskatoon Wildlife Federation as was previously reported. The Saskatoon Fire Department apologizes for this error. 

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At approximately 8:22 p.m. on May 17, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a request from the Saskatoon Wildlife Federation to investigate the possible entrapment of a pelican in the weir. One fire engine, one water rescue unit, one specialized water rescue craft, and support officials attended the scene.

The specialized water rescue craft, designed to operate effectively in unpredictable conditions, was deployed onto the South Saskatchewan River at the weir. The craft was maneuvered along the weir's boil towards the pelican; however, upon reaching the animal it began to swim away from the rescuers in the craft. Firefighters confirmed that the pelican was not in distress or caught on anything in the water and retreated from the rescue operation. 

The Saskatoon Fire Department has concluded on scene and firefighters have returned to their stations to continue serving citizens. The pelican's status will be monitored in the coming days and rescuers will re-deploy if required.