Saskatoon Fire - News Releases

At approximately 9:53 this morning, the Saskatoon Fire Department and the Emergency Measures Organization responded to reports of a hazardous materials exposure at Parkridge Centre, located at 110 Gropper Crescent.

One Fire Engine, one Haz-Mat Unit, one Decontamination Unit, one Battalion Chief, and a Mobile Command Unit were initially dispatched to the scene. Fire Dispatchers identified for responding fire crews that the reported hazardous material involved was chlorine gas, a toxic and corrosive material.

Upon arrival, fire crews shut down the building's ventilation system to isolate the exposure. It was determined that the chlorine gas was the result of an error in procedure when mixing chlorine powder with water; it is believed to have been accidental in nature. Technicians from the Haz-Mat Unit tested the air quality in a number of locations potentially open to exposure and found a maximum reading of 0.2 parts-per-million (PPM) in one area, a minimal level for concern. 

A hazardous materials clean-up was conducted and one Aerial Ladder Truck later responded to the scene to ventilate and restore the air quality in the building.

Two civilians, both employees of the Parkridge Centre, were assessed on scene and declined transport to hospital. It is believed that both will consult a physician later today. 

A Safety Officer from the Saskatoon Fire Department was on scene monitoring fire crew safety and procedures. There was no environmental risk as a result of this exposure. Fire crews have now concluded their duties in relation to this incident.

House Fire at 613 Avenue H South causes house next door to ignite.

At 12:33 this afternoon The Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call reporting a house was on fire at 613 Avenue H South. 

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

First arriving crews arrived in four minutes and found a single storey residential home with smoke and flames visible from the right side of the structure causing the vacant two storey home next door at 611 Ave H south to ignite. Fire command requested an additional Engine to assist with the attack.  Crews used attack hose lines on the visible flames while other crews prepared to enter the home at 613 to search for trapped occupants.  Once inside the home a thorough rescue search was conducted while continuing to extinguish areas involved in fire.  The initial fire was brought under control in ten minutes.  No occupants were found in either of the homes.

Portions of the walls and roof were removed from both homes while crews worked to extinguish any remaining hot spots and later used ventilation fans to clear the remaining smoke.

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

A Fire Investigation Unit was called to the scene and the cause of the fire is currently under investigation. 

Damages are estimated at $150,000 for 613 Ave. H S. and $80,000 for 611 Ave.H S.

House Fire at 311 Avenue S South

At 10:04 The Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call reporting a house was on fire at 311 Avenue S South. 

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

First arriving crews arrived in four minutes and found a single storey residential home with smoke and flames visible from the windows on the front of the structure.  Crews used attack hose lines on the visible flames while other crews prepared to enter the home to search for trapped occupants.  Once inside the home crews conducted a thorough rescue search while extinguishing areas involved in fire.  The fire was brought under control in six minutes.  No occupants were found in 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 $60,000.

At approximately 09:56 pm Saskatoon Fire Department responded to reported fire on the outside of house at 711 Ave E North. First responding Engine company  found flames showing at rear of a two and half story vacant house with boarded up doors and windows. Firefighters started a transitional attack and extinguished flames on the outside of house. Crews then entered house from the front and encounter heavy smoke and fire on second level of house, crews were able to complete a primary search of house before extreme heat and condition of house caused interior crews to back out and go to a defensive mode . Fire under control in approximately two and half hours from arrival and crews remained on scene for another three hours extinguishing all hot spots.

At approximately 1:30 this afternoon, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call alerting to a two vehicle MVA at the corner of Ave S.S and 19th St W. with possible entrapment.

The Saskatoon Fire Department immediately dispatched one Fire Engine, one Heavy Rescue Unit, and one Battalion Chief to the scene. 

Upon arrival, crews observed two half ton trucks that had collided with each other. The drivers of both trucks had exited their vehicles before fire crews had arrived. Four other passengers remained in one of the vehicles. It was determined by fire crews that extrication would not be required. 

All occupants of both vehicles were assessed for injuries by firefighter paramedics. Three children and two adults were transported to hospital for further assessment. 

Fire crews remained on scene for debris clean up.

At approximately 6:20 this evening the Saskatoon Fire Department received several 911 calls for a apartment fire at 127 Avenue U South. Three engine companies, 1 ladder truck and one rescue truck were dispatched to the scene.  

On arrival crews found suite 204 on the second floor of the apartment fully involved with fire. Crews made a quick attack from the exterior and then entered the building. Crews removed 1 male person from the fire suite. The pt was handed over to Medavie ambulance who transported him to hospital with undetermined injuries. Crews completed a primary search of the building and evacuated several people. The fire was quickly extinguished and was contained to the fire suite, There was heavy smoke damage to the rest of the building. The cause of the fire is under investigation at this time. Preliminary estimates of damage is $250,000.

At 10:33 pm tonight a 911 call reported smoke and flames from a boarded up house at 1701 22^nd street west. Three engine companies, one ladder truck and one rescue truck were dispatched.

On arrival crews found smoke and flames coming from a basement window of the house. Crew’s made a quick attack from the exterior, while the ladder truck removed plywood from the doors. Crews entered the house and found no occupant’s, then quickly extinguished the fire in the basement.

There were no injuries at this fire.

The fire is under investigation and there is no damage estimate at this time.

The City of Saskatoon operates several storm water retention ponds in neighbourhoods throughout the City. Many residents choose to use these ponds for recreational purposes, including skating and ice hockey. It is reminded that individuals who choose to use the storm water retention ponds for recreational purposes assume all associated risk in doing so.

The Saskatoon Fire Department has been regularly testing and monitoring ice thickness at ponds around the City to verify its safety. The ice must reach a minimum thickness of at least 8 inches to be considered safe for public recreational use. Signage posted at each pond will indicate whether or not the pond is safe for use. Be sure to check the posted signage each time you are considering using the pond. The sign will display a “No Skating” icon until the ice has been tested and is confirmed safe for public use, at which time a “Skating Permitted” icon will be displayed on the sign.

Community members choosing to use the ponds for recreational purposes are responsible for any maintenance of the ice that may be required, including shoveling, flooding, and safety.  

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

It is advised that individuals always exercise an elevated level of caution when using any ice-covered body of water for recreational purposes.

In an emergency, call 911 immediately.

At approximately 4:33 this afternoon, the Saskatoon Fire Department received an alert from an alarm company reporting a residential fire signal in the Victoria Place Apartments, located at 606 Victoria Avenue.

Two Fire Engines were immediately dispatched to the scene. While the responding fire crews were en-route, Fire Dispatchers made contact with a representative of the building and confirmed there to be a fire in a suite on the fourth floor. Along with the two Fire Engines already responding, one Aerial Ladder Truck, one additional Fire Engine, and a Battalion Chief were also dispatched. 

Upon arrival, fire crews observed smoke exiting the multi-story apartment complex through a fourth story balcony, the fire alarm sounding, and occupants of the complex performing an evacuation. The resident of the suite had extinguished the fire using a fire extinguisher before fire crews arrived. 

Heavy smoke was present, and significant ventilation was required to clear the suite and complex of smoke. The strategic decision was made to release additional fire crews from the scene, freeing up these resources to respond elsewhere in the city when necessary; however, one additional Aerial Ladder Truck was dispatched to the scene, as required, to aid in ventilating the complex. 

Fire crews have now completed the ventilation of the suite and complex using an electric fan, and have concluded their duties in relation to this incident.

A Fire Investigator remains on scene to identify a cause and determine a damage estimate. 

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