Saskatoon Fire - News Releases

At approximately 9:13 a.m. on April 28, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department was contacted by a concerned citizen reporting an abnormality in the South Saskatchewan River; the caller believed the abnormality to be a possible body in the water. 

One fire engine, two water rescue units, and one battalion chief were dispatched to investigate the concern.

The caller was interviewed on scene and directed fire crews towards an area of River Landing. One firefighter-diver entered the water and dove on the abnormality; the dive produced negative results and it was confirmed that no further investigation of the area would be required.

The water rescue units are now off the water and fire crews have returned to their stations to continue serving Saskatoon.

At approximately 4:19 a.m. on April 28, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call alerting to visible smoke and the smell of fire in the Arbor Creek neighbourhood. The caller patrolled the area while on the line with fire dispatchers, providing an address in the 400 block of Kucey Crescent with a fire burning on the exterior.

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, the home's occupants had already self-evacuated and the fire had been extinguished with a garden hose. Firefighters pulled open parts of the wall to confirm that the fire had not extended towards the interior of the structure.

A fire investigator has identified the cause to be accidental in nature as a result of the spontaneous combustion of soiled rags. The rags had been soiled with staining product when they were improperly disposed of in a household garbage bin causing them to self-heat and ignite. Damage has been estimated at approximately $4,000. 

After using rags, towels, or other applicators to apply paints, stains, finishing oils, or solvents, members of the public are reminded of safe storage and disposal practices by allowing adequate time for these items to dry in an open-air environment away from other combustible materials; once dry, place them in a metal container with a tight-fitting lid.

Firefighters have concluded their work at the scene of a structure fire involving a hotel that occurred on April 27, 2020 in the 2500 block of 22nd Street West.

A fire investigator continues to analyze evidence, statements, and fire science in working to identify a cause. The structure has been labeled as uninhabitable; damage is estimated at approximately $400,000.

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At approximately 12:19 p.m. on April 27, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call reporting a fire in a hotel suite in the 2500 block of 22nd Street West. 

Four fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and support officials were dispatched for immediate response.

Upon arrival of the first responding fire engine, a confirmed working structure fire in a multi-unit hotel complex was observed; two hotel rooms on the second floor were fully involved in fire upon arrival. Firefighters initiated an immediate exterior attack to soften the fire prior to making entry. Simultaneously, fire crews began searches of each room in the hotel. Firefighters assisted six occupants off of a balcony by way of ladders in addition to rescuing one occupant from a first floor room directly below the fire.

One pregnant female occupant who was inside the room of origin at the time had self-evacuated to a safe location; she was medically assessed on scene and later transported to hospital for treatment of what are believed to be minor injuries sustained as a result of the fire.

A fire investigator is beginning to process the scene as fire crews continue overhaul efforts. A cause and damage estimate are not yet available; however, damage to the structure is extensive.

The Saskatoon Police Service is directing traffic through the area as heavy traffic restrictions are in place. This incident is ongoing and an update will be provided upon additional information becoming known. 

At approximately 12:19 p.m. on April 27, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call reporting a fire in a hotel suite in the 2500 block of 22nd Street West. 

Four fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and support officials were dispatched for immediate response.

Upon arrival of the first responding fire engine, a confirmed working structure fire in a multi-unit hotel complex was observed; two hotel rooms on the second floor were fully involved in fire upon arrival. Firefighters initiated an immediate exterior attack to soften the fire prior to making entry. Simultaneously, fire crews began searches of each room in the hotel. Firefighters assisted six occupants off of a balcony by way of ladders in addition to rescuing one occupant from a first floor room directly below the fire.

One pregnant female occupant who was inside the room of origin at the time had self-evacuated to a safe location; she was medically assessed on scene and later transported to hospital for treatment of what are believed to be minor injuries sustained as a result of the fire.

A fire investigator is beginning to process the scene as fire crews continue overhaul efforts. A cause and damage estimate are not yet available; however, damage to the structure is extensive.

The Saskatoon Police Service is directing traffic through the area as heavy traffic restrictions are in place. This incident is ongoing and an update will be provided upon additional information becoming known. 

At approximately 9:35 p.m. on April 24, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call reporting a fire at a house in the 400 block of Avenue X South.

Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief were dispatched for response. 

Prior to the arrival of fire crews, a resident had used multiple fire extinguishers in an attempt to put the fire out; however, they were unable to fully contain it. Firefighters arrived on scene within minutes to find light smoke on the main level of the house. Upon further entering, fire crews located flames within the oven and quickly brought the fire under control. Searches of each level were conducted and all occupants were confirmed to have evacuated. Electric fans were used to ventilate the house, clearing it of remaining smoke and carbon monoxide.

A fire investigator has found the cause to be accidental as a result of cooking. Damage has been estimated at $50,000.

At approximately 6:38 a.m. on April 27, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call from a passerby reporting popping sounds and smoke coming from a church in the 600 block of Taylor Street East.

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 connected to a nearby hydrant and made entry into the building. A fire was quickly located in a storage room beneath a set of stairs leading to the basement; it was fully extinguished within 10 minutes of the first fire engine arriving on scene. Fire engines and police vehicles were used to restrict traffic flow through the area for the duration of this incident.

A fire investigator has estimated the damage to be approximately $500; the cause of the fire remains undetermined. 

At approximately 3:47 p.m. on April 25, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a mutual aid request from Dalmeny Fire and Rescue to assist in controlling and containing a large grass fire west of Saskatoon. 

Two fire engines, one water tanker, and one brush truck from the Saskatoon Fire Department's fleet of apparatus were committed to this incident.

Water was shuttled to the fire scene using water tankers as firefighters worked to protect multiple acreages and farm yards in the area; one trailer that was parked and being used for storage was consumed by fire in an affected yard. Fire crews from surrounding jurisdictions worked collaboratively to control the spread of fire and successfully protected significant property and infrastructure. Hot spots were extinguished in a number of areas throughout the evening.

The Saskatoon Fire Department has since been released from this incident and fire crews have returned to their stations to decontaminate and rehabilitate.

Firefighters have concluded at the scene of a significant grass fire south of Saskatoon in the RM of Corman Park near the Beaver Creek Conservation Area. 

A loss stopped was called by the commanding fire officer at approximately 10:26 p.m. on April 23, 2020, constituting a total burn time of just over five hours from the time of notification. 

As this area falls outside of the Saskatoon Fire Department's investigative jurisdiction, a cause and damage estimate will not be provided. 

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At approximately 5:10 p.m. on April 23, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call alerting to a significant grass fire on private property south of Saskatoon near the Beaver Creek Conservation Area. 

Multiple fire department resources have been committed to this incident throughout its duration including fire engines, water tankers, brush trucks, a rescue unit, and support officials. 

While en-route, fire crews observed heavy black smoke in the area. A responding fire official noted approximately three-acres of land and miscellaneous items in the yard on fire. Upon arrival, fire crews observed a power line arching and the request for utility technicians to shut down power to the area was made. 

Water tankers are currently shuttling water to the fire scene and supply pools have been set up to ensure firefighters have uninterrupted access to water as they work to extinguish the fire.

This incident is ongoing and an update will be provided upon new information becoming known.

At approximately 5:10 p.m. on April 23, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call alerting to a significant grass fire on private property south of Saskatoon near the Beaver Creek Conservation Area. 

Multiple fire department resources have been committed to this incident throughout its duration including fire engines, water tankers, brush trucks, a rescue unit, and support officials. 

While en-route, fire crews observed heavy black smoke in the area. A responding fire official noted approximately three-acres of land and miscellaneous items in the yard on fire. Upon arrival, fire crews observed a power line arching and the request for utility technicians to shut down power to the area was made. 

Water tankers are currently shuttling water to the fire scene and supply pools have been set up to ensure firefighters have uninterrupted access to water as they work to extinguish the fire.

This incident is ongoing and an update will be provided upon new information becoming known.

The Saskatoon Fire Department has concluded the investigation into a fire that occurred in the 1100 block of McNaughton Avenue on the morning of April 23, 2020. 

A fire investigator has found the cause to be accidental in nature as a result of the spontaneous combustion of soiled rags. The rags, soiled with staining product, had been left in an open combustible container inside the garage causing them to self-heat and ignite. Damage has been estimated at approximately $25,000. 

After using rags, towels, or other applicators to apply paints, stains, finishing oils, or solvents, members of the public are reminded of safe storage and disposal practices by allowing adequate time for these items to dry in an open-air environment away from other combustible materials; once dry, place them in a metal container with a tight-fitting lid.

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At approximately 7:22 a.m. on April 23, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department responded to the 1100 block of McNaughton Avenue with three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief after receiving reports of a garage on fire.

The first responding fire crew observed a double detached garage with smoke visibly exiting the structure upon their arrival. Utilities supplying the structure were shut down by arriving fire crews. Firefighters located and extinguished a fire on the interior of the garage in less than 10 minutes of the first fire engine arriving on scene. No extension of the fire was found and no injuries were reported. 

Fire crews conducted ventilation of the structure using electric fans prior to clearing the scene and returning to their stations to continue serving Saskatoon.

A fire investigator is working to determine a cause and damage estimate.