Saskatoon Fire - News Releases

At approximately 12:45 p.m. on May 23, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call alerting to a possible fire at a boarded-up and vacant residential structure in the 1900 block of 22nd Street West. Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief were dispatched for response.

Upon arrival, fire crews located a small fire burning at the rear of the structure; it was brought under control within minutes of arriving on scene. Firefighters forced entry to the structure to confirm vacancy and search for extension; finding no occupants or extension, fire crews cleared the scene and returned to their stations to continue serving Saskatoon.

Minimal damage occurred as a result of this fire; however, previous fire damage to the structure has left the property uninhabitable. The fire is presenting as suspicious and a fire investigator is working to confirm a cause.

On May 23, 2020, at approximately 3:53 a.m., the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call alerting to a possible fire in the area of 22nd Street West; internal radio communication with the Saskatoon Police Service confirmed the fire to be in the 100 block of Avenue S South. Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief responded. 

Upon arrival, firefighters confirmed a shed to be fully involved in fire with extension to a nearby tree; the fire was brought under control in about five minutes from the time of the first fire engine arriving on scene. There were no injuries reported and a fire investigation has been initiated to identify a cause of origin and damage estimate.

At approximately 6:46 a.m. on May 23, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call from a passerby reporting a residential structure on fire in the 300 block of Avenue S 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 small fire burning on the exterior of the structure. Fire crews initiated an immediate attack on the fire and began to search for occupants and extension. The lone occupant, presenting as uncooperative and threatening, refused to vacate the structure; the Saskatoon Police Service was requested to force removal of the occupant, allowing firefighters to safely continue their work on the interior. Fire crews confirmed there to be no further extension of the fire and established ventilation to clear the structure of smoke and carbon monoxide. The fire was brought under control in less than 10 minutes from the time of arrival and nearby exposures were successfully protected by firefighters.

There were no injuries reported as a result of this incident. A fire investigator is working to identify a cause and assess the damage.

The Saskatoon Fire Department received a single 911 call at approximately 10:41 p.m. on May 21, 2020 reporting a possible structure fire in the 400 block of Avenue V South. 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, a fire was confirmed to be burning on the main floor of a residential structure. Fire crews established connections to nearby hydrants and began a transitional attack on the fire to soften it from the exterior before making entry. The fire was brought under control in less than 30 minutes from the time of the first fire engine arriving on scene. Searches of the structure confirmed there to be no occupants or further extension of the fire. Ventilation was conducted using electric fans to clear the structure of remaining smoke and toxins. There were no injuries reported as a result of this incident.

Fire crews have concluded on scene and a fire investigator is working to identify a cause and damage estimate.

At approximately 9:54 p.m. on May 21, 2020, fire dispatchers received multiple 911 calls reporting a semi-trailer unit on fire near a large commercial structure. Four fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, and one battalion chief were immediately dispatched to the scene.

Upon arrival, fire crews confirmed a semi-trailer unit to be heavily involved in fire and began extinguishment; the fire was quickly brought under control and firefighters successfully protected the nearby commercial structure from extension of the fire. The structure was searched to ensure no occupants were present and property owners were contacted to attend the scene. No injuries occurred as a result of this fire.

Fire crews have since cleared the scene and were promptly re-deployed to continue serving citizens at incoming emergencies. 

At approximately 9:39 p.m. on May 21, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received many 911 calls reporting a garage on fire in the 100 block of Avenue K South. 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 four minutes to find a boarded-up residential garage fully involved in fire. A connection to a nearby hydrant was made and fire crews immediately began flowing water and foam to extinguish the fire; it was brought under control within minutes of the first fire engine arriving on scene. Upon searching the garage, firefighters confirmed there to be no occupants or further extension of the fire. There were no injuries reported as a result of this incident.

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

At approximately 10:39 p.m. on May 20, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call reporting a lightning strike to a residential structure on South Point Drive in the Ashwood Estates district of Corman Park; the caller advised of smoke exiting the roof and attic area of the structure. Two fire engines, one rescue unit, one water tanker, one brush truck, and one battalion chief were dispatched for response. 

Upon arrival, a small fire was located in the attic and two occupants were confirmed to have self-evacuated to a safe location with their two dogs. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire using a manual pump-tank; a variety of tools were used in conducting overhaul efforts to ensure all affected insulation and charred building material was fully extinguished and safely removed from the structure.

Firefighters advised the occupants of resources to contact in the coming days and have since returned to their stations to continue serving Saskatoon and surrounding area. As this area falls outside of the Saskatoon Fire Department's investigative jurisdiction, a confirmed cause and damage estimate will not be provided. No injuries to fire or civilian personnel were reported as a result of this incident.

At approximately 8:01 a.m. on May 20, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received multiple 911 calls reporting a boarded-up residential property on fire in the 1600 block of Avenue C North. Four fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief have been committed to this incident.

Upon arrival, heavy smoke and flame conditions were observed. Firefighters immediately began connecting to nearby hydrants and evacuating neighbouring properties. Defensive ground-level and aerial attacks were initiated to gain control of the fire and protect surrounding exposures. All utilities supplying the property had previously been terminated. A partial collapse occurred minutes prior to the fire being brought under control at approximately 9:00 a.m. Firefighters remain on scene monitoring for flare-ups and performing overhaul efforts. The Saskatoon Police Service assisted in restricting traffic flow through the area for the duration of this incident.

A fire investigator is beginning to process the scene; an investigative update will be provided upon additional information becoming known.

At approximately 4:54 p.m. on May 19, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received multiple 911 calls reporting a growing grass fire in the Rural Municipality of Corman Park near Highway 16 East and Market Drive. One fire engine, one water tanker, and one brush truck were dispatched for response.

Upon arrival, fire crews noted an area of grass on fire adjacent to a set of train tracks. A separate fire, believed to be associated with the first reported fire, was observed approximately 1.5-kilometres away. Fire crews have contained both fires and continue to extinguish hot spots in the area. There have been no reported injuries as a result of this incident and no structures were at risk of becoming involved.

The Corman Park Police Service has responded and is assisting with traffic control in the area. A confirmed cause and damage estimate will not be provided by the Saskatoon Fire Department.

At approximately 12:43 p.m. on May 19, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department was alerted by the Saskatoon Police Service to a person at risk on the University Bridge. One fire engine, two water rescue units, and support officials were dispatched to the scene.

Water rescue units were immediately deployed onto the South Saskatchewan River. While navigating the waterway towards the University Bridge, the commanding fire officer alerted rescuers of a confirmed person in the water. Firefighters worked from the shoreline to maintain visual contact as rescuers approached the location by boat. One female patient was removed from the water and medically assessed; she has been transported to hospital for treatment of what are believed to be minor injuries.

Firefighters concluded their work on scene and have returned to their stations to continue serving Saskatoon.