Saskatoon Fire - News Releases

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. 

At approximately 10:30 p.m. on March 22, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department was alerted to a possible structure fire in the rural municipality of Corman Park. It was reported that the house was filling with smoke, the lone occupant had self-evacuated, and that one cat remained inside.

Four fire engines, one rescue unit, one water tanker, one brush truck, and one battalion chief responded to the scene.

Upon arrival, fire crews laid a hose line and noted an audible alarm sounding while light smoke exited the house. Power and gas supply lines were shut off and scene lighting was established to create a safe work environment. While performing an initial search of the house, firefighters suspected the fire to be beneath them and evacuated due to a compromising floor system. Fire crews removed skirting from the exterior and confirmed a fire to be burning midway through the house beneath the floor. Firefighters softened the fire from the exterior before re-entering; chainsaws were used to breach the floor, creating an opening for firefighters to continue extinguishment from the interior. Ventilation was conducted to clear smoke and carbon monoxide from the house while fire crews worked.

While conducting a secondary search of the house, one cat was located and removed; firefighter-paramedics provided supplemental oxygen, reviving the unconscious animal and reuniting it with its owner. 

As this area falls outside of the Saskatoon Fire Department's investigative jurisdiction, a cause and damage estimate will not be provided. The Saskatoon Fire Department thanks the Corman Park Police Service and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for their response to this incident.

At approximately 12:26 p.m. on March 23, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call reporting a fire inside a retail Canadian Tire store at the Confederation Mall. All staff and customers were reported to have self-evacuated prior to the arrival of fire crews.

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

Upon arrival of the first responding fire engine, it was confirmed that a staff member equipped with a fire extinguisher had successfully put the fire out. Ventilation of the structure was conducted using electric fans to clear the retail store of remaining smoke and carbon monoxide. 

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by both the Saskatoon Fire Department and the Saskatoon Police Service; however, it is believed to be suspicious in nature, resulting in an estimated $5,000 worth of damage to the retail store and its contents.

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

At approximately 15:40 this afternoon fire crews responded to black smoke coming from the overhead doors of a local body shop.

Dispatched were three pumps, one ladder truck, one rescue truck and Battalion Chief. On arrival crews found heavy smoke through out the building.

Entry was made  and the seat of the fire found and quickly extinguished. A search of the building found no occupants.

The building was then ventilated and checked for any hot spots. An investigator is now on the scene checking for a cause .

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

At approximately 4:12 p.m. on March 19, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call alerting to a possible structure fire at 205 109th Street West. The caller reported smoke visibly exiting the house as multiple occupants evacuated. 

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

Upon arrival of the first responding fire engine, a light haze and the smell of smoke was observed inside the house. Fire crews performed searches to verify that all occupants and pets had safely evacuated while also using a thermal imaging camera to search for heat inside the house.

All interior searches produced negative results and no heat or fire was located. While searching the exterior of the house, fire crews located a significant pile of improperly discarded smoking materials beneath the front steps. It was confirmed that this was the source of the smoke.

Fire crews performed ventilation of the house using electric fans before concluding their work on scene.

A fire investigator was not required to respond as no damage resulted from this fire. Additionally, there were no injuries to civilian or fire personnel on scene.