Saskatoon Fire - News Releases

At approximately 2:51 p.m. on April 14, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call from an employee of a business reporting a suspected electrical fire 50-feet above ground-level inside a warehouse.

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

Upon arrival, fire crews observed employees evacuating the business; firefighter-paramedics confirmed there to be no injuries to any of the occupants that had been inside the building. Fire crews used a mechanical lift owned by the business to elevate themselves towards the location of the suspected electrical issue. A large refrigeration appliance was warm to the touch and firefighters identified an area of electrical concern.

Smoke was visible; however, no fire was located. It is believed that melting heat tape near a compressor was the source of the smoke.

The Saskatoon Fire Department has concluded on scene and the building has been turned over to management and a qualified electrician.

At approximately 2:58 p.m. on April 14, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call alerting to a possible structure fire in the 200 block of Avenue F 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 working structure fire at an abandoned and unoccupied house was confirmed; flames were visibly exiting from the back of the structure. The commanding fire officer ordered a defensive attack on the fire; firefighters immediately began preparing hydrants and flowing water to begin extinguishment while a laddered connection was made to allow fire crews to breach exterior access points on the upper level and roof of the structure.

All utilities to the structure have been shut off by firefighters or were previously disconnected by utility technicians.

Fire crews have transitioned into an offensive attack on the fire; searches are being performed to confirm vacancy and to identify areas of extension of the fire.

The Saskatoon Police Service have traffic restrictions in place and members of the public are asked to avoid the area. 

This incident is ongoing and an update will be provided as additional information becomes know. 

At approximately 11:10 p.m. on April 10, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received multiple 911 calls with reports varying from smoke in the area to visible flames exiting a structure in the 300 block of Avenue P South.

Five fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief were committed to this incident.

Upon arrival of the first responding fire engine, a fully involved residential structure with flames exiting through the back was observed. It was believed that the structure was abandoned and unoccupied. All utilities servicing the structure were shut down by fire crews or previously disconnected. Fire dispatchers called utility technicians to the scene to monitor power and gas supply lines in the area; one overhead power line was purposefully cut down to provide unobstructed overhead access for an aerial attack on the fire.

The commanding fire officer ordered a defensive attack to preserve neighbouring properties and gain control of the fire. Fire crews used hose lines at the ground level to attack the fire while additional firefighters breached the roof of the structure to allow access for an aerial attack on the interior. The fire was brought under control at approximately 1:03 a.m. on April 11, 2020. Fire crews remain on scene to extinguish hot spots and perform overhaul efforts.

The Saskatoon Police Service restricted access to the area for the duration of this incident to aid in providing a safe environment for first responders and nearby citizens.

The fire is believed to be suspicious in nature and is being investigated by both the Saskatoon Fire Department and the Saskatoon Police Service. A damage estimate is not available at this time; however, damage to the structure is extensive.

There were no injuries to civilian or fire personnel as a result of this incident. 

Saskatoon Fire Department responds to a House Fire on the 700 block of Avenue M South

At 08:00 this evening The Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call reporting a House was on fire on the 700 block of Avenue M South. 

Three Engines an Aerial Ladder a Rescue Truck and a Battalion Chief were dispatched to the scene.

First arriving crews arrived and found a two storey house with smoke visible from the soffits.  It was determined the house was fully charged with smoke.  Crews entered the home and encountered multiple areas involved in fire.  The fires were extinguished and a search for possible trapped occupants was conducted.  Power ventilation fans were utilized to remove the remaining smoke. 

No occupants were found and there were no injuries reported as a result of this fire.

A Fire Investigation Unit was called to the scene.  The fire was determined to be suspicious and is currently under investigation. 

Damages are estimated at $30,000.

The Saskatoon Fire Department responded to two structure fires early Saturday morning.  Fire Dispatch received a 911 call at 1:45 am reporting a flames at a four-plex on the 300 block of Ave T South.  A total of eight apparatus responded with the first arriving firefighters observing a fire on the front steps.  The fire was quickly brought under control and the home searched for occupants.  Finding none the scene was turned over the fire investigator.

The second fire was also reported through 911 at 2:58 am when call described fire under a rear deck on the 200 block Ave V South.  Seven apparatus were dispatched to the scene.  Firefighters encountered flames enveloping the rear deck and impinging on the exterior wall.  Again quick action brought the fire under control quickly, limiting damage to the exterior.  The house was searched for occupants, and finding none, the scene was turned over the fire investigator.

Both fires remain under investigation with assistance from Saskatoon Police Service and damage estimates are pending.

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As we (slowly) transition into spring weather, the Saskatoon Fire Department advises community members of considerations to make during the freeze-thaw cycle that has begun over the past month.

Many community members chose to use the City of Saskatoon’s storm water retention ponds for recreational purposes this winter. The Saskatoon Fire Department tested and monitored the ice thickness at these ponds, posting signage advising of its suitability for use. As the temperature warms, the ice on these ponds has become unsuitable for winter recreational use. Fire crews will be visiting each of these ponds in the coming days to update the posted signage to read “No Skating”.

Additionally, the ice that covered sections of the South Saskatchewan River has also started to melt. The ice that covers this body of water is unpredictable and is therefore never safe for winter recreational use. Community members are asked to maintain a safe distance and never venture out onto the ice that covers sections of the South Saskatchewan River.

Community members are also reminded to keep a close watch on children and pets when visiting trails, parks, or off-leash areas that may run adjacent to the South Saskatchewan River or a storm water retention pond.

For more information regarding the Recreational Uses of Storm Water Retention Ponds policy, visit www.saskatoon.ca/ponds.

It is advised that community members always exercise an elevated level of caution when around any large body of water.

In an emergency, call 911 immediately.

At approximately 15:17 this afternoon Saskatoon Fire dispatchers received a call of a male who had been in the river and was in distress. One Engine company was dispatched to the scene.

On arrival a male patient who had been in the water was found. It was determined that the best way to get this patient rescued would be to use the Fire Department Rescue boat and move him to the boat launch were an ambulance would then transport to hospital. The Rescue team was dispatched and the boat launched . The patient was retrieved and transported to the boat launch without issue.

After this task was complete Firefighters along the river bank were made aware of another patient that needed to be rescued from the trail system at the Sutherland dog park. In this instance it was decided that the best method to rescue this patient would be by using the Fire Departments Tactical Rope Rescue Team. Two rescue pumps were then dispatched to the scene to perform a low angle rope rescue. On their arrival  a rope system was set up and the patient was hauled up the riverbank in a rescue basket were he was delivered to an ambulance for transport to hospital.

At approximately 10:33 Saskatoon Fire Dispatchers received a 911 call reporting a male jumping from the Senator Sid Buckwold Bridge.

One fire pump with two surface water swimmers , one rescue boat with two surface water swimmers and two rescue divers and a Battalion Chief were dispatched.

On arrival crews made visual contact with the male , the rescue boat was launched. The male was quickly pulled from the water into the rescue boat were

crews began CPR. The boat then made its way to the boat launch were they were met by Medavie. The patient was then transported to RUH .

The Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call reporting a fire in a large Commercial Shop at approximately 01:43 this morning. Two Fire Engines, one Water Tanker, one Brush Truck, one Rescue Unit, and a Battalion Chief were dispatched to the incident.

The First arriving crew found a large commercial building fully involved in flames with the roof of the structure completely collapsed. Fire crews immediately set up for a defensive attack on the fire. Water tankers were utilized to shuttle water to the fire scene to maintain a constant water source. The fire was quickly brought under control and fire crews are still currently on scene extinguishing the remaining hot spots.

There were no injuries reported as a result of this incident.

At approximately 7:50 a.m. on March 25, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received multiple 911 calls reporting a transformer on fire in the area of Edmonton Avenue and 33rd Street West. Upon further questioning of the callers, fire dispatchers determined that a passenger car had collided with a transformer resulting in a fire.

One patient was medically assessed and transported to hospital for what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries. Fire dispatchers have notified the City of Saskatoon for repair of the transformer and restoration of power to areas that were affected as a result of this incident; fire crews remain on standby while power is being restored.

Members of the public are reminded to treat non-operational traffic signals as stop signs.