Structure Fire - 400 block of 3rd Avenue North
At approximately 11:29 p.m. on July 18, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received multiple 911 calls reporting a significant amount of smoke exiting a residential structure in the 400 block of 3rd Avenue North. Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief were dispatched for response.
Firefighters arrived on scene in less than three minutes to find visible flames inside the structure. Initiating an immediate attack on the fire, the flames were brought under control within about one hour from the time of the first fire engine arriving on scene. Fire crews shut down the utilities to the structure as fire dispatchers notified the appropriate utility technicians for response. Searches of the structure confirmed there to be no occupants or pets inside at the time of the fire. Firefighters ventilated the structure of remaining smoke and carbon monoxide before clearing the scene at about 1:00 a.m. on July 19, 2020 and returning to their stations to continue serving Saskatoon.
A fire investigator has evaluated the cause and origin, determining this fire to be incendiary with an approximate damage estimate of $250,000. The fire investigator has credited fire crews for their prompt response and action in preventing this fire from extending further.