Saskatoon Fire - News Releases

At approximately 10:07 p.m. on July 29, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call reporting the anchor of an inflatable craft to have become entangled in the river with three persons on board the craft; as fire dispatchers obtained additional information, one person was reported to have gone missing from the craft. One fire engine, one water rescue unit, one public affairs official, and one battalion chief were committed to this incident.

The water rescue unit was deployed onto the South Saskatchewan River from an emergency boat launch and immediately advanced towards the area; quickly locating two persons and their craft, fire crews communicated with members of the Saskatoon Police Service who had located and safely retrieved the third person from this group near the shoreline of the Gordie Howe Bridge.

No injuries were sustained as a result of this incident. The water rescue unit has since been removed from the water and all fire personnel have returned to continue serving the residents and visitors of Saskatoon.

At approximately 6:37 p.m. on July 29, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received several 911 calls reporting visible smoke and flames coming from the roof of the Confederation Mall, located at 300 Confederation Drive. 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 just over one minute to find a significant amount of smoke in the area of the roof. Immediately making entry to the commercial structure, fire crews located the fire and extinguished it in less than 20 minutes from the time of the first fire engine arriving on scene; both a fire extinguisher and a fire hose flowing water were used in this fire's extinguishment. Firefighters were confident in confirming that the fire had not extended into the structure by about 7:06 p.m. and began concluding their work on scene. No injuries to fire or civilian personnel were reported as a result of this incident. 

A fire investigator is conducting a cause and origin investigation to identify the specifics of this fire; the damage has not yet been assessed.

At approximately 6:35 p.m. on July 28, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call reporting a fence on fire in the 100 block of Martin Crescent. Based on the initial information received, one fire engine was dispatched for response; upon receiving additional information from the caller, the response was upgraded to include two more fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief. 

Upon arrival of the first responding fire engine, a small section of fence was found to be burning between two residential structures; the fire was extending towards both exposures. Bringing the fire under control within minutes, firefighters then began to search for further extension into the structures and test carbon monoxide levels. There were no injuries to fire or civilian personnel as a result of this incident.

Fire crews are concluding on scene and will soon return to their stations to continue serving the residents and visitors of Saskatoon. A fire investigator is working to confirm a cause and assess the damage; upon an initial review, two structures and one fence are understood to have been damaged from the fire. An update will be provided upon new information becoming known. 

The investigation into a fire that occurred in the 400 block of 110th Street West on July 24, 2020 has concluded. A fire investigator has identified this fire to be accidental as a result of an overheated appliance that had been plugged into the stove. Damage is estimated at about $80,000. 

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At approximately 11:40 a.m. on July 24, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call reporting a kitchen to be on fire at a residence in the 400 block of 110th Street West; while on the phone with fire dispatchers, the caller reported to have extinguished the fire with a garden hose but was unsure if it had extended beyond the kitchen. Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief were dispatched for response. 

Arriving in less than four minutes, firefighters located a partially extinguished fire in the area of the kitchen. The lone occupant had self-evacuated prior to the arrival of fire crews. Firefighters suppressed the remaining fire, confirming it to be fully extinguished by about 12:00 p.m. Fire crews searched the structure for possible extension and initiated ventilation to clear the area of remaining smoke and carbon monoxide. Firefighters have since concluded on scene and returned to their stations to continue serving Saskatoon. 

A fire investigator is working to identify a cause and assess the damage.

At around 12:22 p.m. on July 26, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received multiple 911 calls reporting a permanently closed, boarded-up gas station to be on fire in the 300 block of Avenue W South. Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief were dispatched for response.

Arriving in less than three minutes, firefighters found flames coming from a boarded-up gas pump; there was no threat of extension to nearby structures. Firefighters brought the fire under control within about five minutes of fire dispatchers receiving the first 911 call. There were no injuries to fire or civilian personnel as a result of this incident. 

A fire investigator has confirmed this fire to be incendiary with damage estimated at approximately $10,000. 

At approximately 11:57 p.m. on July 24, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department was alerted to a motor vehicle collision involving a motorcycle and a deer at Highway 16 and Floral Road. One fire engine and one rescue unit were dispatched for response. 

Upon arrival, fire crews located the motorcycle, operator, and deer on the highway among scattered debris and human and animal biohazards. Firefighter-paramedics assessed a 55 year-old male patient before loading him into a ground ambulance and accompanying him to hospital for treatment of what are believed to be serious injuries. Remaining fire crews decontaminated the highway of biohazards before concluding on scene and returning to their stations to continue proudly serving Saskatoon and area. 

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Corman Park Police Service provided scene safety on the highway and assisted in gathering information for this incident.

At approximately 11:40 a.m. on July 24, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call reporting a kitchen to be on fire at a residence in the 400 block of 110th Street West; while on the phone with fire dispatchers, the caller reported to have extinguished the fire with a garden hose but was unsure if it had extended beyond the kitchen. Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief were dispatched for response. 

Arriving in less than four minutes, firefighters located a partially extinguished fire in the area of the kitchen. The lone occupant had self-evacuated prior to the arrival of fire crews. Firefighters suppressed the remaining fire, confirming it to be fully extinguished by about 12:00 p.m. Fire crews searched the structure for possible extension and initiated ventilation to clear the area of remaining smoke and carbon monoxide. Firefighters have since concluded on scene and returned to their stations to continue serving Saskatoon. 

A fire investigator is working to identify a cause and assess the damage.

The re-location team has completed the first phase of the support for residents of the City Centre Inn and Suites.

As of Thursday evening, July 23, 120 individuals were provided the opportunity for temporary housing and re-location to local shelters and local hotels. Several residents were provided longer-term housing options.

“An amazing team came together and performed incredible work here,” says Assistant Chief Yvonne Raymer. “Re-housing this many people in such a short time – and under these circumstances – is an accomplishment practically unheard of."

“Emergency Management Organization’s leadership in bringing together all the government and community-based partners, and the willingness of those organizations to problem-solve together, responding to every changing circumstance, speaks to the heart and care of our city.”

Today, Friday, July 24 the Ministry of Social Services and AIDS Saskatoon staff will be connecting with the residents to:

• Confirm they are at the re-location site
• Provide clothing vouchers
• Follow-up with requests for additional supports

The Salvation Army will be providing food for residents over the weekend at their re-location site.

The re-housing team will meet Monday to determine additional actions to support residents with longer-term housing placements.

More information:

Update: Fire Department & community partners move to house residents of unsafe motel

A full summary of City Centre Inn & Suites Order of Closure can be found here.

The plan to provide housing for residents displaced as a result of the Fire Department ordering the closure of the City Centre Inn and Suites, continues to move forward.  As of 1 p.m. residents began to move to alternate housing. That process is still underway.

The Ministry of Social Services offered the option of temporary housing at local shelters.  Residents with medical or unique personal needs were offered the option of temporary housing in local hotels.

A full summary of City Centre Inn & Suites Order of Closure can be found here.

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The Saskatoon Fire Department with the support of many community partner organizations will today take action to house approximately 150 residents of the City Centre Inn and Suites.

The Fire Department has taken the unusual but necessary steps ordering a closure of the entire City Centre Inn and Suites because of unsafe and unsanitary living conditions; the notice remains pending and will be in effect at 3 p.m. today, Thursday, July 23.

“The Department is limited in its legal authority to enter and inspect what are essentially people’s homes,” says Assistant Chief Yvonne Raymer.  “Once we were alerted by an anonymous complaint, we moved forward with the inspection process.  When it became clear there were immediate hazards because of unsafe and unclean living conditions, we quickly moved to close the entire facility.”

Approximately seven teams will conduct door-to-door visits to each room at the City Center Inn and Suites to support relocation of the residents.

The circulating teams will be comprised of:

• One health professional to conduct COVID screening and swab testing
• Two or more outreach workers to assess needs and determine appropriate housing options

Over 50 staff resources from the following agencies will be on site to support this process:

• 10 – 12  members from the Saskatoon Tribal Council
• Seven Ministry of Social Services members plus one supervisor
• Five members from the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA)
• Five members from The Salvation Army
• Three members from AIDS Saskatoon
• Three members from Saskatoon Housing Initiatives Partnership
• Two members from Saskatchewan Housing Authority
• Two members from the City of Saskatoon Emergency Management Organization
• One member from Public Health

The SHA Health Bus is one on site until 4:30 p.m.

Saskatoon Transit is providing transportation to the new locations for the residents. 

Canada Post is supporting the residents with change of address.

Meals, water and coffee for staff and displaced residents is being provided by the Salvation Army today.

Single adults will go either to a shelter, hotel or stay with family or friends for short term housing needs. 

The Saskatchewan Housing Authority is also on site to provide case management for longer term housing options.

Four families have already been relocated.

“The Fire Department is so grateful for the collaboration and support of our government and community based partners to make this happen in roughly 48 hours,” Raymer says.

Assistant Chief Raymer says the most recent visit to 610 Idylwyld Drive North which involved four Fire Inspectors revealed an immediate hazard with issues such as:

• unsafe and unsanitary conditions
• locked exit doors
• stairs at risk of collapse
• combustible material too close to buildings
• inaccessible fire extinguishers
• too few and uninspected extinguishers
• improper smoke alarm records
• failure to maintain fire alarm systems

The owner of the City Centre Inn and Suites has been ordered to remedy 34 deficiencies under the Property Maintenance and Nuisance Abatement Bylaw; and 27 deficiencies under the National Fire Code of Canada.

The closure notice – which is pending – is expected to be in effect by 3 p.m. today, Thursday, July 23.

The Saskatoon Fire Department with the support of many community partner organizations will today take action to house approximately 150 residents of the City Centre Inn and Suites.

The Fire Department has taken the unusual but necessary steps ordering a closure of the entire City Centre Inn and Suites because of unsafe and unsanitary living conditions; the notice remains pending and will be in effect at 3 p.m. today, Thursday, July 23.

“The Department is limited in its legal authority to enter and inspect what are essentially people’s homes,” says Assistant Chief Yvonne Raymer.  “Once we were alerted by an anonymous complaint, we moved forward with the inspection process.  When it became clear there were immediate hazards because of unsafe and unclean living conditions, we quickly moved to close the entire facility.”

Approximately seven teams will conduct door-to-door visits to each room at the City Center Inn and Suites to support relocation of the residents.

The circulating teams will be comprised of:

• One health professional to conduct COVID screening and swab testing
• Two or more outreach workers to assess needs and determine appropriate housing options

Over 50 staff resources from the following agencies will be on site to support this process:

• 10 – 12  members from the Saskatoon Tribal Council
• Seven Ministry of Social Services members plus one supervisor
• Five members from the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA)
• Five members from The Salvation Army
• Three members from AIDS Saskatoon
• Three members from Saskatoon Housing Initiatives Partnership
• Two members from Saskatchewan Housing Authority
• Two members from the City of Saskatoon Emergency Management Organization
• One member from Public Health

The SHA Health Bus is one on site until 4:30 p.m.

Saskatoon Transit is providing transportation to the new locations for the residents. 

Canada Post is supporting the residents with change of address.

Meals, water and coffee for staff and displaced residents is being provided by the Salvation Army today.

Single adults will go either to a shelter, hotel or stay with family or friends for short term housing needs. 

The Saskatchewan Housing Authority is also on site to provide case management for longer term housing options.

Four families have already been relocated.

“The Fire Department is so grateful for the collaboration and support of our government and community based partners to make this happen in roughly 48 hours,” Raymer says.

Assistant Chief Raymer says the most recent visit to 610 Idylwyld Drive North which involved four Fire Inspectors revealed an immediate hazard with issues such as:

• unsafe and unsanitary conditions
• locked exit doors
• stairs at risk of collapse
• combustible material too close to buildings
• inaccessible fire extinguishers
• too few and uninspected extinguishers
• improper smoke alarm records
• failure to maintain fire alarm systems

The owner of the City Centre Inn and Suites has been ordered to remedy 34 deficiencies under the Property Maintenance and Nuisance Abatement Bylaw; and 27 deficiencies under the National Fire Code of Canada.

The closure notice – which is pending – is expected to be in effect by 3 p.m. today, Thursday, July 23.