Saskatoon Fire - News Releases

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. 

The Saskatoon Fire Department has concluded the investigation into a fire that occurred in the 100 block of Girgulis Crescent on April 21, 2020.

A fire investigator has identified the cause to be accidental in nature as a result of the improper use of a heat lamp. The heat lamp came into contact with nearby combustible materials and subsequently ignited the fire. Damage has been estimated at approximately $200,000.

Members of the public are reminded to keep at least 1-metre (3-feet) of distance between heating equipment and combustible materials; it is also advised that all heating equipment be used in accordance with manufacturer direction.

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At approximately 9:53 a.m. on April 21, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call alerting to a possible structure fire in the 100 block of Girgulis Crescent. It was reported that smoke was filling the house, an adult female and a youth male had self-evacuated, and that family pets remained inside.

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 crew, smoke was observed exiting the house and heavy heat could be felt. Fire crews immediately connected to nearby hydrants and began softening the fire from the exterior before making entry inside. Utilities to the structure were shut off by firefighters and ventilation was started in an effort to increase visibility. A fire located in a bedroom that had extended into a bathroom was quickly found and extinguished by fire crews.

Searches of the house resulted in the rescue of two cats and one reptile; none of the animals appeared to be in distress when rescued.

Fire crews remain on scene conducting ventilation and overhaul efforts. A fire investigator is working to identify a cause and has not yet assessed the damage.

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. 

At approximately 9:53 a.m. on April 21, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call alerting to a possible structure fire in the 100 block of Girgulis Crescent. It was reported that smoke was filling the house, an adult female and a youth male had self-evacuated, and that family pets remained inside.

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 crew, smoke was observed exiting the house and heavy heat could be felt. Fire crews immediately connected to nearby hydrants and began softening the fire from the exterior before making entry inside. Utilities to the structure were shut off by firefighters and ventilation was started in an effort to increase visibility. A fire located in a bedroom that had extended into a bathroom was quickly found and extinguished by fire crews.

Searches of the house resulted in the rescue of two cats and one reptile; none of the animals appeared to be in distress when rescued.

Fire crews remain on scene conducting ventilation and overhaul efforts. A fire investigator is working to identify a cause and has not yet assessed the damage.

At approximately 4:34 p.m. on April 20, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department was alerted to a motor vehicle collision involving a semi-trailer unit that had made impact with an overpass at Highway 11 and Circle Drive East.

Two fire engines, one rescue unit, and one battalion chief were dispatched for response. 

Upon arrival of the first responding fire crew, it was confirmed that nobody was injured, no hazardous materials were involved, and that the overpass remained visibly operational; there was a significant debris field of broken cement that had fallen after impact. Fire dispatchers notified the City of Saskatoon and requested that an engineer attend the scene to assess the structural integrity of the overpass.

Firefighters used fire engines to block traffic, creating a safe work environment as they removed debris from the roadway.

The scene was left with the Saskatoon Police Service for further investigation.