Saskatoon Fire - News Releases

As spring gets closer, the Saskatoon Fire Department would like to pass on some tips to help make sidewalks safer during the freeze-thaw cycle that is beginning to occur.

Keeping sidewalks safe for pedestrians

Be a good neighbour to help prevent slips and falls: residents are required to clear sidewalks adjacent to their property within 48 hours from when any snow, ice, or debris forms or builds up.

What you can do:

• Clear snow before it settles, hardens, and packs-down
• Chip ice during the day when it is soft and easier to break
• Use sand or salt to increase traction and/or melt ice from the sidewalk
• Leave snow on your yard to keep drains and curbs clear

Be careful walking on icy or snow-covered sidewalks.

Preventing a fall:

If you encounter snow and/or ice on the sidewalk, walk like a penguin!

Keep your weight over your front leg, take small steps, and maintain a shoulder-width foot separation with your toes angled outwards; doing this will increase your stability and helps reduce the risk of a fall.

In an emergency, call 911 immediately.

For more information regarding Bylaw No. 8463, The Sidewalk Clearing Bylaw, visit www.saskatoon.ca/bylaws.

On March 2, 2020 at approximately 4:47 pm, The Saskatoon Fire Department received a call informing dispatchers of a male patient in distress in the Sutherland dog park on the river bank.  One engine company, one rescue company and a battalion chief responded to the scene.  Crews were met in the parking lot by the caller and directed to the area where the patient was located.  Due to the location of the patient and the steep and slippery conditions, the crews had to set up a low angle technical rope rescue system to gain access to and safely remove the patient from the river bank.  Once the patient was brought to level ground the fire department transferred the patient to Medavie services for further assessment and transport.

There were no injuries at this incident.

The Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call at 8:22 pm on February 27, 2020 reporting smoke and fire in a townhouse on Fairbrother Crescent.  Dispatched to the scene were 3 Engines, a Ladder, a Rescue, a Battalion Chief and a Fire Investigator.  Upon arrival  firefighters confirmed three occupants were outside.  The Incident Command directed firefighters to advance hose lines into the structure and within a few minutes had the fire under control.  

The fire investigation has determined the origin to be attributed to a failure with the dishwasher in the main floor kitchen.  Smoke damage is estimated to have cause $25,000.00 damage.

At approximately 9:42 a.m. on February 25, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department and the Emergency Management Organization responded to a mail processing facility, located at 817 51st Street East, for reports of a suspicious package leaking its contents. 

One fire engine, one haz-mat unit, one decontamination unit, one mobile command unit, and multiple support staff responded to the scene.

Fire dispatchers advised all occupants that were inside of the facility to shelter in place until the arrival of fire crews. Upon arrival of the first responding fire crew, an evacuation of the facility was performed; one individual was medically assessed and placed into isolation for having direct exposure to the contents of the package. 

Haz-mat technicians made entry to the facility to obtain shipment information and perform tests to identify the contents of the package.

The contents of the package were identified as approximately one quart of a non-hazardous liquid fertilizer that is used in the rooting and growth of plants; there is no risk to public safety. 

The individual that had been placed in isolation was released without the need of further medical evaluation. The leaking package was contained and removed from the facility for disposal.

The Saskatoon Fire Department and the Emergency Management Organization have concluded on scene and the facility has been turned back over to management.

The Saskatoon Fire Department has completed its investigation into the garage fire at 235 Ave J North and has determined the cause to be accidental.  The fire damage estimate is set at $25,000 for the contents and structure.

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At approximately 8:04 pm tonight the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call reporting a detached garage on fire behind 235 Ave J North. 3 engine companies, 1 ladder truck, 1 rescue truck and a Battalion chief were dispatched.

En-route a train crossing 22^nd street delayed the 2 engines and the ladder requiring 2 additional engines to be dispatched from other halls.

Upon arrival crews found smoke and flames coming from a car inside the garage, a quick attack was made on the fire and the fire was brought under control in approximately 20 min. There were no injuries.

A fire investigator was called to the scene it is currently under investigation, there is no damage estimate at this time.

At approximately 4:00 p.m. on February 21, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department was alerted to a two vehicle collision near the intersection of Arlington Avenue and 8th Street East. It was reported that one vehicle had overturned, trapping an older adult male inside. 

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

Upon arrival of the first responding fire engine, fire crews stabilized the overturned vehicle and made contact with the patient trapped inside. Firefighters were able to assist the patient in evacuating the vehicle without need to initiate the extrication process. The patient was transported to hospital for further evaluation of what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries. 

Fire crews cleaned fluid and debris from the roadway prior to clearing the scene and returning to their stations.

The Saskatoon Fire Department wishes to correct the number of patients involved in this incident: a total of nine patients were treated and transported to hospital for symptoms directly related to carbon monoxide poisoning; four of the nine patients were children.

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At approximately 9:19 a.m. on February 19, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department responded to a home in the 300 block of Avenue T North for reports of multiple occupants feeling unwell and the carbon monoxide alarm sounding; one patient was described as unconscious while two others were experiencing symptoms of nausea and dizziness. One fire engine was dispatched and arrived on scene in less than four minutes. 

Upon arrival, firefighters used equipment capable of reading carbon monoxide levels to receive a reading of over 100 parts-per-million (PPM) at the doorway. Fire dispatchers immediately requested the response of an energy provider while fire crews performed searches of the home to ensure all occupants were removed from the dangerous environment; fire crews were required to breach one interior door to confirm that no occupants remained inside. While searching the home, additional readings of 160 PPM and 190 PPM were received.

Firefighter-paramedics used a non-invasive medical assessment tool on scene to measure the carboxyhemoglobin level in the blood of the three patients before continuing medical care while enroute to the hospital in the ambulance.

Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless, and tasteless gas. Symptoms resulting from prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide include headache, fatigue, confusion, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. When undetected and left untreated, carbon monoxide can result in permanent injury or death. In an emergency, seconds count; a functioning carbon monoxide alarm can be the difference in preventing a tragedy in your home.

At approximately 9:19 a.m. on February 19, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department responded to a home in the 300 block of Avenue T North for reports of multiple occupants feeling unwell and the carbon monoxide alarm sounding; one patient was described as unconscious while two others were experiencing symptoms of nausea and dizziness. One fire engine was dispatched and arrived on scene in less than four minutes. 

Upon arrival, firefighters used equipment capable of reading carbon monoxide levels to receive a reading of over 100 parts-per-million (PPM) at the doorway. Fire dispatchers immediately requested the response of an energy provider while fire crews performed searches of the home to ensure all occupants were removed from the dangerous environment; fire crews were required to breach one interior door to confirm that no occupants remained inside. While searching the home, additional readings of 160 PPM and 190 PPM were received.

Firefighter-paramedics used a non-invasive medical assessment tool on scene to measure the carboxyhemoglobin level in the blood of the three patients before continuing medical care while enroute to the hospital in the ambulance.

Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless, and tasteless gas. Symptoms resulting from prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide include headache, fatigue, confusion, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. When undetected and left untreated, carbon monoxide can result in permanent injury or death. In an emergency, seconds count; a functioning carbon monoxide alarm can be the difference in preventing a tragedy in your home.

At approximately 8:00 pm the Saskatoon Fire Department received several 911 calls reporting a duplex on fire.

3 Engines, 1 ladder truck, 1 rescue unit and 1 Battalion Chief were dispatched to the scene.

As units arrived there was heavy fire and smoke coming from the back of the house.

It took crews approximately 60 mins to get the fire under control due to the heavy fire load inside.

There were no injuries reported and crews worked to extinguish any remaining spot fires.

Searches of all levels revealed no occupants.

Investigators were on scene to determine a cause.