Outside Fire - Structure Involved - 400 block of Kucey Crescent
At approximately 4:19 a.m. on April 28, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call alerting to visible smoke and the smell of fire in the Arbor Creek neighbourhood. The caller patrolled the area while on the line with fire dispatchers, providing an address in the 400 block of Kucey Crescent with a fire burning on the exterior.
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, the home's occupants had already self-evacuated and the fire had been extinguished with a garden hose. Firefighters pulled open parts of the wall to confirm that the fire had not extended towards the interior of the structure.
A fire investigator has identified the cause to be accidental in nature as a result of the spontaneous combustion of soiled rags. The rags had been soiled with staining product when they were improperly disposed of in a household garbage bin causing them to self-heat and ignite. Damage has been estimated at approximately $4,000.
After using rags, towels, or other applicators to apply paints, stains, finishing oils, or solvents, members of the public are reminded of safe storage and disposal practices by allowing adequate time for these items to dry in an open-air environment away from other combustible materials; once dry, place them in a metal container with a tight-fitting lid.