Saskatoon Fire - News Releases

On Monday, April 29th, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a mutual aid request from the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency on behalf of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to respond to the area of Kamsack, Saskatchewan for a water recovery operation on the Assiniboine River. The Office of Emergency Management in Saskatoon worked with municipal, provincial, and federal partners to coordinate and initiate response to the area.

The Saskatoon Fire Department's Surface Water Rescue Team mobilized and was deployed at approximately 1:09 this afternoon. Kamsack is located approximately 350 kilometres from Saskatoon. A total of six crew members, equipped with one specialized water rescue craft and one water rescue boat began their search at approximately 6:06 this evening. A significant presence of emergency personnel and community representatives were on scene to support and aid in search efforts.

The search area included a low-head weir with fast-moving and unpredictable water. The Saskatoon Fire Department's specialized water rescue craft has been designed to effectively perform in such conditions while maintaining the safety of the craft's operators. The Surface Water Rescue Team searched along the weir's boil and upriver from the low-head weir with search efforts remaining inconclusive.

The Saskatoon Fire Department is assisting under the command and direction of the RCMP. All requests for information regarding this incident should be directed towards that authority and future updates to the community on the progress of search efforts can be obtained through the RCMP News portal.

The Saskatoon Fire Department has welcomed two experienced trainers from the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) to deliver a strategically designed program highlighting the importance of behavioural health and peer support in emergency services.

The two day program, occurring April 29^th and 30^th, is being attended by 25 employees of the Saskatoon Fire Department, as well as outside agencies; it has been developed to offer guidance when:

• Approaching a peer who may be in need of support,
• Establishing trust and confidentiality,
• Providing support,
• Recognizing the need for additional support,
• Referring a peer to available resources, and
• Educating others about the importance of behavioural health.

Upon completion of the two day program and self-paced course work, participants will become certified IAFF Peer Support Trainers. Currently, the Saskatoon Fire Department has five employees certified as IAFF Peer Support Trainers. The training and certification of additional employees serves to the commitment of both the Saskatoon Fire Department and the IAFF Local 80 in promoting the wellness of all first responders and emergency personnel.

The Saskatoon Fire Department currently has Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) and Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) peer support persons and advisors to aid in times of crises or difficulty for our employees and their families. The addition of certified IAFF Peer Support Trainers furthers the impact that these initiatives will have on maintaining employee wellness.

The Saskatoon Fire Department is committed to supporting employee growth and wellness through a multitude of programs and practices.

House Fire at 19 Barr Place

At 05:36 am The Saskatoon Fire Department received a call from Saskatoon Police reporting a house with smoke showing at 19 Barr Place. 

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

First arriving crews arrived and found a single storey residential home with smoke visible from the front.  A lone female occupant was found outside of the house and had self evacuated.  Crews advanced attack hose lines into the home to search for any trapped occupants.  Once inside the home crews conducted a thorough rescue search while extinguishing a fire that was found in the basement.  The fire was confirmed under control within twenty minutes.  No occupants were found in the home.  Utility companies were contacted to turn off the power and gas to the home.

Crews worked to extinguish any remaining hot spots and used ventilation fans to clear the remaining smoke.

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

An investigator was called to the scene and the cause of the fire is currently under investigation. 

Damages are estimated at $50,000.

The fire investigation into the cause of this fire concluded late last night.  It has been determined the cause of the fire was the result of the improper disposal of smoking materials into a combustible container.  The Fire Investigator was able to conclude cigarettes were being butted into a plastic container.

The estimated damage to structures is $1,000,000.00.

This is the second fire in two days cause by improper disposal of cigarettes resulting in significant fire damage.  The Saskatoon Fire Department urges smokers to be extremely careful disposing their cigarettes and recommends using a metal or ceramic container filled with sand or water.  Avoid using planters as an ashtray as they containing peat moss which is plant material.  It is not dirt and is highly susceptible to ignition when dried out.

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Saskatoon Fire Department received multiple 911 calls beginning at 4:34 p.m. reporting a house fire on Salloum Union in Evergreen.  Dispatched to the scene were 3 Engines, a Rescue, a Ladder, and a Battalion Chief.  While on route a  911 caller reported fire had spread to a second house and all occupants had evacuated. 

Fire crews arrived and observed two single family residences heavily involved in fire.  Incident Command initiated a second alarm calling for two additional Engines and a Fire Investigator.

Upon confirming all occupants were evacuated, defensive fire attack was ensued to apply water from the exterior and to protect neighbouring properties.  Large hose streams were used to confront the advanced stages of fire growth in these two houses.  By 5:20 p.m. crews were able to enter the buildings to begin interior firefighting efforts.

Fire crews remain on scene and fire investigation has begun.

Saskatoon Fire Department received multiple 911 calls beginning at 4:34 p.m. reporting a house fire on Salloum Union in Evergreen.  Dispatched to the scene were 3 Engines, a Rescue, a Ladder, and a Battalion Chief.  While on route a  911 caller reported fire had spread to a second house and all occupants had evacuated. 

Fire crews arrived and observed two single family residences heavily involved in fire.  Incident Command initiated a second alarm calling for two additional Engines and a Fire Investigator.

Upon confirming all occupants were evacuated, defensive fire attack was ensued to apply water from the exterior and to protect neighbouring properties.  Large hose streams were used to confront the advanced stages of fire growth in these two houses.  By 5:20 p.m. crews were able to enter the buildings to begin interior firefighting efforts.

Fire crews remain on scene and fire investigation has begun.

Update to fallow as more information comes available.

Fire Crews have brought the fire under control and are continuing to work on hotspots.  Extensive fire damage has made access to portions of the structure a challenge.

On arrival to this incident fire crews observed a 3 storey multi-unit townhouse with a single unit fully involved in fire with fire spreading to neighbouring units.  After a search for occupants, firefighters were able to confirm there were no injuries.

Fire crews remain on scene and a fire investigation has begun to determine the cause of the fire.

Saskatoon Fire Department received multiple 911 calls beginning at 9:17 a.m. reporting a structure fire on Langlois Way.  Dispatched to the scene were 3 Engines, a Ladder, a Rescue and a Battalion Chief. 

After initial size-up of the incident, there was request for an additional Engine and a Fire Investigator.

A search of building has confirmed the building has been vacated.

Fire crews are remain on scene.

Saskatoon Fire Department received multiple 911 calls beginning at 9:17 a.m. reporting a structure fire on Langlois Way.  Dispatched to the scene were 3 Engines, a Ladder, a Rescue and a Battalion Chief. 

After initial size-up of the incident, there was request for an additional Engine and a Fire Investigator.

A search of building has confirmed the building has been vacated.

Fire crews are remain on scene.

Update to follow.

At 1540 hours Incident Command determined the fire to be extinguished.  All committed fire apparatus have returned to their respective fire stations. 

At approximately 12:05 pm today Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call reporting a grass fire in the area of Highways 7 and 60.  A Brush Trucks, Water Tanker, an Engine and a Battalion Chief responded to assist scene. After an initial size up of the situation, the Incident Commander requested the dispatch of an additional Brush Truck and Water Tanker.

At approximately 12:05 pm today Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call reporting a grass fire in the area of Highways 7 and 60.  A Brush Trucks, Water Tanker, an Engine and a Battalion Chief responded to assist scene. After an initial size up of the situation, the Incident Commander requested the dispatch of an additional Brush Truck and Water Tanker.

Fire crews remain on scene.