Saskatoon Fire - News Releases

The Fire Investigator was able to re-enter the structure on February 8, 2022.  Scene examination for the fire in the 300 Block of 109th Street West has concluded.  Fire originated in the service/furnace room.  Cause of the fire has been determined to be accidental due to combustibles being too close to the water heater.  Combustible material was ignited by the flame of the water heater resulting in the fire.  

At 5:04 pm, Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) received a call of a structure on fire in the 400 Block of Avenue L North.  Three fire engines, one ladder unit, one rescue truck and the Battalion Chief responded.  The first arriving engine reported a structure with flame and smoke showing.  Tactical duties were assigned to incoming fire crews and the fire investigator was requested.  The location of the fire was identified in the basement and interior fire crew were assigned to enter the basement.  At 5:16 p.m., fire crews began knocking the fire down.  The Fire Investigator arrived at 5:46 p.m.

The Fire Investigator performed a cause and origin scene examination.  

Cause of the fire is undetermined at this time.  Fire originated in a basement bedroom.

Damage is estimated at $20,000.

The Fire Investigation into the cause and origin of the fire in the 300 Block of 109^th Street West is ongoing due to the current condition of the structure after the fire.  An update will be provided once available.

During the incident, firefighters were performing searches to ensure no occupants remained inside the structure.  While conducting the searches, fire conditions changed drastically inside the structure where all combustible material ignited simultaneously.  This created a flash over condition.  Two firefighters were in a situation where they needed to evacuate the structure immediately.  They took safe haven in a bedroom closing the door behind them.  This room had a window.  Using SFD’s tactical self preservation methods, they sent an alert over the radio that overrides the entire radio transmissions over the entire fire ground.  They initiated a “mayday” and relayed conditions, the actions being taken and their needs.  The two firefighters using their tactical training were performing a “bail out” where they broke the window, fire ground firefighters brought a ladder to the window and the firefighters used their training tactics to hook onto the window frame and leverage themselves onto the ladder. 

Both firefighters safely evacuated the structure without injury. 

An incident debriefing and peer support was provided immediately to the firefighters involved in the self evacuation and the personnel involved in this incident.

Firefighter safety is everyone’s priority but the job they perform comes with risks.  It is the extensive training beyond performing rescues and tactics where they practice self preservation that are integral to firefighter safety.    

With any incident of significance to firefighter safety, an after-action review is being conducted.  The purpose of a review allows for an assessment of actions taken, evaluate procedures and enhance safety if warranted. 

At 5:13 a.m., the Saskatoon Fire Department was called for a report of a fire in a furnace room.  Dispatched to the scene were 3 fire engines, 1 ladder unit, 1 rescue unit and the Battalion Chief.  First fire engine and crew on scene reported heavy smoke and flame showing from the basement.  Fire crews shut the natural gas off.  A power line was down in the backyard.  All incoming fire crews were assigned tactical duties and a safety officer was appointed.  Utility companies were notified by Fire Dispatchers to respond for scene safety and ensure utilities were completely shut down.  Fire Investigator was dispatched at 5:26 a.m. to attend.

Extinguishment and searches by fire crews were performed to ensure no occupants remained in the structure.  Fire crews had the fire under control in the basement but the fire extended to the main floor and through the roof.  The ladder truck and its fire crew were positioned from the hydraulic ladder to extinguish the fire showing itself in the attic/roof area.  Ground level fire crews switched from an interior attack to an exterior attack at 6:24 a.m. 

Fire crews are still on scene at this time.  

All occupants of the structure are accounted for and the smoke alarms alerted them to the fire.

An update will be provided at a later time.

At 9:42 a.m. on January 24, 2022, a fire crew from the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) were returning to their station from a previous incident when they came upon a two vehicle accident.  One occupant of a vehicle involved required extrication.  A rescue unit and the Battalion Chief were dispatched to support the accident scene.  The police and ambulance service were notified by the SFD Dispatchers to respond.  Fire crews stabilized the vehicle and de-energized the battery to prepare for extrication of the occupant who presented minor injuries.  A hydraulic cutting tool was used by firefighters to open the driver's door to assist the occupant out of the vehicle.

The ladder truck from the closest fire station was required to provide extra bags of absorbent material needed to clean up diesel that had leaked from a one ton cube van.  An SFD maintenance vehicle also responded to transport and properly dispose of the material used to soak up the leaked fluids on the ground.

Patient care was transferred to the ambulance service.  Saskatoon Police Service were left with the scene.

Fire crews returned to station at 10:28 a.m.

At 11:48 p.m. on January 15, 2022, Saskatoon Fire Department Communications Center received a report that a garage was on fire in the 2500 Block of Clarence Avenue South.  Three fire engines, one ladder truck, one rescue unit and a Battalion Chief responded.  A fire crew arrived at 11:51 p.m. and reported heavy smoke showing from a detached garage.  Fire crews initially attacked the fire using the hose line in the bumper of the fire engine.  Access to the interior of the garage was made through the man door.  All other incoming fire crews were assigned tactical duties to perform on their arrivals.  This fire was brought under control at midnight on January 16, 2022.  Fire crews completed checking all areas of the roof and attic to ensure the flame or heat hadn't extended.  At 12:46 a.m., the last fire crew on scene returned to their station to begin the work of getting tools cleaned and ensuring the fire engine was fully equipped and ready to respond.

A Fire Investigator had been requested to attend the fire scene.  The scene was turned over to the Fire Investigator who conducted a cause and origin scene examination.  Fire was determined to be accidental due to a block heater cord being plugged into an extension cord.  The cord had been pinched from the hood being closed and compressing it.  Fire originated in the hood area of the vehicle.  Damage from this fire is estimated to be $60,000.  Fire Investigator left the scene once the garage was secured.  

At 1:16 a.m., the Saskatoon Fire Department received a call of a fire in an attached garage at a home in the 700 Block of Sutter Crescent.  Dispatched to the fire were 3 fire engines, 1 ladder truck, 1 rescue unit and the Battalion Chief.  First arriving fire crew reported smoke coming from the garage and occupants waiting outside.  Incoming fire crews were assigned tactical duties.  The fire had broke through a window to the garage, fire crews immediately started applying water on the fire through the broken window.  This fire was brought under control at 1:43 a.m.

The Fire Investigator conducted a scene examination and determined the fire was accidental from a portable heater being too close to combustible material.  The electrical heater had been plugged in and running in the garage since 6 p.m. the previous evening.  Damage is estimated at $50,000.

No injuries to civilians or firefighters occurred as a result of this fire.

At 8:36 a.m., the Saskatoon Fire Department Communication Center received a notification of a two vehicle accident at Highway 11 and Circle Drive.  Dispatched to the scene were one fire engine, one rescue unit and the Battalion Chief.  First arriving fire crews reported a vehicle lying on its side with 5 occupants requiring assistance to be extricated.  All occupants were assessed by firefighters and presented no injuries.  The vehicle was stabilized for safety reasons.  Four children and one adult were safely removed from the vehicle at 8:55 a.m.  

A fire crew stayed with the occupants providing warmth and safety from traffic.  Occupants were waiting for transportation from someone they knew.  The fire crew left the scene at 9:20 a.m. and returned to their station.

Stay safe everyone.  

At 2:42 a.m., the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) received a call for a smell of natural gas.  One fire engine, one ladder truck and the Battalion Chief were dispatched.  First arriving fire crews identified a carbon monoxide issue and not a natural gas leak.  Readings were taken throughout the 7 storey hotel with variances of 10 - 61 ppm.  SaskEnergy was requested to attend. 

Fire crews investigated and identified the source of the carbon monoxide concern was one of the heating units on the roof.  Fire crews had the staff at the hotel shut down the defective rooftop unit.   Carbon monoxide levels began decreasing immediately.  Fire crews began ventilating the building with fans.  

Two hours into the incident, relief crews had to be sent as the fire trucks on scene were at risk of freezing up.  Temperatures at this time were -46 degrees.  Fire crews and their apparatus were relieved to avoid freezing from happening.  Ventilation efforts were never disrupted with this change out of apparatus and carbon monoxide continued to be removed from the building. 

SaskEnergy remained on scene assisting fire crews and assessing the heating equipment.  Just after 6 a.m., the readings for carbon monoxide were down to zero.  At 6:43 a.m., the fire crews left the scene in the control of SaskEnergy and returned to their stations.

No medical concerns or injuries were identified with any person(s) staying or working at the hotel.  Evacuation and/or relocation of occupants was not required.

An SFD Fire Inspector is attending this morning to follow up.

The Fire Investigator was able to confirm that the occupant from the fire that occurred on New Year's Eve has been located.  Our unaccounted occupant in the 400 Block of Avenue R South fire is safe, not injured and rehoused.