Saskatoon Fire - News Releases

At approximately 1:12 p.m. on June 22, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received multiple 911 calls reporting a grass fire along the riverbank near the Silverwood Heights neighbourhood. One fire engine, one brush truck, and one battalion chief responded; all responding fire apparatus attended to the east end of Adilman Drive to establish a fire attack strategy.

Fire crews connected to the closest hydrant as firefighters continued off-road in the brush truck towards the riverbank. A small but growing fire was located near the fence line of the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The fire was brought under control at around 1:49 p.m., with fire crews continuing to extinguish hot spots for some time thereafter. There were no injuries reported and no structures were at risk as a result of this fire. It is unknown how the fire might have started. 

Fire crews have since cleared the scene, returning to their stations to continue serving Saskatoon.

The investigation into a fire that occurred in an apartment building in the 100 block of Edinburgh Place on June 21, 2020 has concluded.

While conducting the investigation, two deceased animals were located inside the unit of origin; the SPCA attended the scene on June 22, 2020 to remove and take control of the bodies of one cat and one large dog. A fire investigator has confirmed the fire to be accidental; however, an exact cause will not be available. Damage has been estimated at approximately $600,000. The building has been deemed uninhabitable until remediation occurs; a fire inspector will continue to work with the property owner to monitor the progress of repairs.

The Saskatoon Fire Department wishes to thank the Saskatoon Police Service for their assistance in escorting tenants back to their units to gather personal belongings prior to the building closure.

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At approximately 7:49 p.m. on June 21, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received multiple 911 calls reporting an apartment building on fire in the 100 block of Edinburgh Place. Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief were dispatched for response. 

Upon arrival, visible smoke and flame were observed to be exiting the building; all occupants had self-evacuated. Firefighters immediately connected to nearby hydrants and made entry into the building. A fire was located inside a fourth floor unit and was quickly brought under control; the commanding fire officer confirmed the loss to be stopped at around 8:24 p.m. While performing searches of the building, one cat was located and removed from a second floor unit; the animal did not appear to be in distress. The Saskatoon Police Service had traffic restrictions in place for the duration of this incident to allow space for fire crews to operate and to keep civilian members of the public safe. 

A fire investigator is on scene working to determine a cause and assess the damage. An update will be provided upon conclusion of the investigative findings.

The investigation into a fire that occurred in the 400 block of Avenue I South on June 21, 2020 has concluded. A fire investigator has identified the fire to be incendiary and estimates damage to be approximately $2,000. 

Members of the public are reminded to report non-emergent suspicious activity by calling 306-975-8300. In an emergency, call 911 immediately.

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At approximately 11:08 a.m. on June 21, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received multiple 911 calls reporting variations of a fence, structure, and discarded items on fire. Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, and one battalion chief were dispatched for response.

The first fire engine arrived on scene in less than three minutes to find a mattress, couch, shed, and fence on fire. An immediate attack was initiated with firefighters bringing the flames under control at around 11:21 a.m. The commanding fire officer observed overhead power lines that had been damaged from the fire and had the appropriate utility crews respond. There were no injuries to fire or civilian personnel as a result of this incident. Firefighters have since returned to their stations to continue serving Saskatoon. 

A fire investigator is working to identify a cause and assess the damage; this fire is believed to be suspicious.

At approximately 7:49 p.m. on June 21, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received multiple 911 calls reporting an apartment building on fire in the 100 block of Edinburgh Place. Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief were dispatched for response. 

Upon arrival, visible smoke and flame were observed to be exiting the building; all occupants had self-evacuated. Firefighters immediately connected to nearby hydrants and made entry into the building. A fire was located inside a fourth floor unit and was quickly brought under control; the commanding fire officer confirmed the loss to be stopped at around 8:24 p.m. While performing searches of the building, one cat was located and removed from a second floor unit; the animal did not appear to be in distress. The Saskatoon Police Service had traffic restrictions in place for the duration of this incident to allow space for fire crews to operate and to keep civilian members of the public safe. 

A fire investigator is on scene working to determine a cause and assess the damage. An update will be provided upon conclusion of the investigative findings. 

At approximately 11:08 a.m. on June 21, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received multiple 911 calls reporting variations of a fence, structure, and discarded items on fire. Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, and one battalion chief were dispatched for response.

The first fire engine arrived on scene in less than three minutes to find a mattress, couch, shed, and fence on fire. An immediate attack was initiated with firefighters bringing the flames under control at around 11:21 a.m. The commanding fire officer observed overhead power lines that had been damaged from the fire and had the appropriate utility crews respond. There were no injuries to fire or civilian personnel as a result of this incident. Firefighters have since returned to their stations to continue serving Saskatoon. 

A fire investigator is working to identify a cause and assess the damage; this fire is believed to be suspicious.

At approximately 11:15 a.m. on June 19, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department was alerted to an emergency medical incident for a person experiencing a seizure on a rooftop. One fire engine and one aerial ladder truck were committed to this incident.

Upon arrival, a middle-aged male patient was located on the roof of a residential garage; firefighter-paramedics accessed and stabilized the patient as the aerial ladder truck was positioned to load and lower the patient to the ground-level for transport by ambulance to hospital.

Fire crews concluded their work on scene and have since returned to their stations to continue proudly serving citizens in need. 

At approximately 10:33 a.m. on June 19, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department was alerted by the Saskatoon Police Service to a person who had entered the South Saskatchewan River from the Gordie Howe bridge. One fire engine, one water rescue unit, and one battalion chief were dispatched for response.

The water rescue unit deployed onto the river from the emergency boat launch as the fire engine and battalion chief continued with police towards the last known location of the person. Upon arrival, a male was observed standing in the water; before the water rescue unit reached the location, the person had self-rescued from the river towards police officers waiting on the shoreline.

The Saskatoon Fire Department has since cleared the scene, removed the water rescue unit from the river, and returned to their stations to continue serving Saskatoon.

The investigation into a fire that occurred on June 14, 2020 in the 300 block of Avenue Q South has concluded. A fire investigator has identified the fire to be incendiary with damage estimated at approximately $50,000.

To maintain the best interests of community safety, a demolition order has been posted; the property owner will have 30 days to level the structure in compliance with the order. The Fire Prevention and Investigation section will monitor the progress and confirm compliance over the coming weeks.

Members of the public are reminded to report non-emergent suspicious activity by calling 306-975-8300. In an emergency, call 911 immediately. 

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At approximately 1:52 p.m. on June 14, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call reporting a possible structure fire in the 300 block of Avenue Q South. Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief were dispatched for response. 

The first fire engine arrived on scene in less than four minutes to find a boarded-up residential structure with flames visible from the exterior. All utilities to the structure had previously been terminated. Firefighters immediately initiated a defensive fire attack on the structure of origin while successfully protecting a neighbouring property from extension of the fire. Information received from a bystander on scene indicated the strong possibility of an occupant inside. With this new information, firefighters made entry to begin a search for the occupant; searches of the interior produced negative results and vacancy of the structure was confirmed. The fire was quickly contained and brought under control shortly thereafter. Ventilation was conducted to clear the area of remaining smoke and toxins. There were no injuries to fire or civilian personnel as a result of this incident.

Firefighters concluded on scene and have since returned to their stations to continue serving Saskatoon. A fire investigator remains on scene working to identify a cause and assess the damage.

At approximately 6:56 p.m. on June 18, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call reporting a motor vehicle collision at the intersection of 23rd Street West and Avenue Q North with the possibility of entrapment. One fire engine, one rescue unit, and one battalion chief were dispatched for response. 

Firefighters arrived on scene to find a two vehicle collision involving a Honda minivan and a Ford SUV; the SUV had overturned as a result of the impact. Fire crews stabilized both vehicles and confirmed there to be no entrapment. To ensure environmental protection, firefighters controlled and contained fluids that were leaking from the vehicles. One female patient was assessed by firefighter-paramedics before being transported to hospital by ambulance; her injuries are believed to be minor. The Saskatoon Police Service was on scene to take statements and facilitate traffic flow through the area. 

Fire crews remained on scene until the damaged vehicles were removed and a complete fluid and debris clean-up could be conducted.

At approximately 11:41 a.m. on June 17, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call reporting a structural collapse at the corner of Louise Avenue and East Place. Two fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, and one battalion chief responded.

Upon arrival, a large structure that had been in the early stages of construction was observed to have partially collapsed. The site was believed to be vacant of contractors at the time; however, a technical rescue team deployed onto the area to conduct an urban search and rescue of the compromised structure. Confirmation was made at approximately 12:02 p.m. that the site was completely vacant at the time of collapse. No injuries were sustained as a result of the collapse or subsequent search.

Upon conclusion of their work, fire crews released the scene to a site manager and returned to their stations to continue serving Saskatoon.