Saskatoon Fire - News Releases

At approximately 1:55 this afternoon, the Saskatoon Fire Department received an emergency transmission over the radio from a Saskatoon Transit operator reporting a large grass fire in the area of 11th Street West and Fairlight Drive. 

One brush truck and one water tanker were immediately dispatched for response.

The first responding fire crew arrived in just over three minutes and observed a rapidly spreading grass fire that had extended towards nearby trees. The request for additional fire crews to attend was made; two fire engines and one battalion chief were dispatched to the scene to support firefighting efforts.

The Saskatoon Police Service was on scene facilitating traffic flow through the area; Fairlight Drive was closed to traffic while fire crews worked to control, contain, and extinguish the fire and any remaining hot spots.

There were no injuries reported as a result of this incident. 

At approximately 12:56 this afternoon, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call reporting a 54-foot shipping container on fire in the yard of 2435 Schuyler Street. Fire dispatchers obtained additional information from the caller for responding fire crews and quickly identified the product inside the shipping container to be a non-hazardous animal byproduct.

Three fire engines, one heavy rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, and one battalion chief were dispatched for immediate response. One fire investigation unit was later requested for response. 

Upon arrival, heavy smoke and significant flame were observed exiting the shipping container. A nearby forklift had also been consumed by the extending flames and an adjacent building was being immediately threatened. All employees and visitors had self-evacuated the adjacent building to muster points in the yard. Fire crews conducted a search of the building's interior; however, no extension of the fire was found.

Fire crews brought the fire under control in less than 20 minutes. 

One individual was in need of medical attention as a result of the fire and was treated on scene for what are believed to be minor burns. The patient was not transported to hospital.

A fire investigator is working to determine a cause and damage estimate.

Saskatoon Fire Department responds to a four-plex fire at 501 Avenue H South

At 05:11 this evening The Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call reporting a house was on fire at 501 Avenue H South. 

Three Engines an Aerial Ladder a Heavy Rescue Truck and a Battalion Chief were dispatched to the scene.

First arriving crews arrived and found a single storey four-plex residential home with smoke and flames visible from the side and multiple areas of the roof.  Initial reports were that all of the suites were vacant.  Crews used attack hose lines on the visible flames while other crews prepared to enter the home to search for possible trapped occupants.  Once inside the home a thorough rescue search was conducted.  No occupants were found in any of the 4 suites.  Portions of the ceilings were removed and an Aerial Truck was set up as crews worked to extinguish any remaining hot spots in the roof. 

There were no injuries reported as a result of this fire.

A Fire Investigation Unit was called to the scene and the cause of the fire is currently under investigation. 

Damages are estimated at $250,000.

Each year, water enthusiasts head out to the many lakes and rivers across the country to indulge in water sports and activities. The Saskatoon Fire Department emphasizes the importance of having and maintaining the proper flotation equipment.

Lifejackets and personal flotation devices (PFDs) are extremely important pieces of equipment when in or around bodies of water. Slight variations between the function and purpose of lifejackets and PFDs exist; however, both act as a life-saving flotation device.

Start by selecting the appropriate flotation device for your desired purpose. Be sure that the flotation device has been approved to Canadian standards through Transport Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard, or Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Remember that if the activity you are participating in involves a human- or motor-powered watercraft, you are required by federal law to have an approved lifejacket or PFD for each person on board the craft. Consider whether a lifejacket or PFD best suits the demands of your water activity:

Lifejackets:

• Available in keyhole or vest styles,
• Designed to turn an unconscious person onto their back,
• Always orange, yellow, or red in colour to ensure high visibility, and
• Higher level of flotation than most PFDs.

Personal Flotation Devices:

• Available in a variety of styles and colours,
• Designed to keep a person afloat,
• Specially designed PFDs can be purchased for specific water activities, and
• Typically lighter, less bulky, and more comfortable than lifejackets.

For both lifejackets and PFDs, the fit should be snug while still allowing space to breathe and move freely. The fit is too large if it can be pulled upwards towards the ears, and is too small if it cannot be properly fastened.

In Saskatoon, lifejackets and PFDs are available for purchase at most sports and leisure retailers. Quality and function will influence the price of these flotation devices; however, a standard recreational-use lifejacket or PFD can often be purchased for $40 to $60.

Never use your flotation device for purposes of which it was not intended for; this could cause damage and wear that will affect the functionality of the flotation device. If the flotation device is expired, altered, ripped, or otherwise misshapen, it is no longer effective and must be replaced.

When finished with your flotation device, make sure it is properly stored in a dry and airy location. Allow ample time for drying if the flotation device is wet.

Cleaning & Care:

• Use a light soap,
• Rinse thoroughly with clean water,
• Air-dry the flotation device in a dry place where it will be out of direct sunlight, and
• Never use a direct heat source to dry your flotation device.

Always exercise safe practices when in or around larger bodies of water.

In an emergency, call 911 immediately.

At approximately 03:30 on Tuesday May 28^th the Saskatoon Fire Department received a call from a neighbor of flames coming from the rear of 2015 20^th St West. Three engines, one ladder truck, a heavy rescue and battalion chief were dispatched.

 On arrival crews found a single story home with heavy flames and smoke coming from the rear of the house. The house was boarded up. Fire crews started an exterior attack and discovered the floor had been burnt through. Fire crews went defensive and did not enter the house. It took approximately 20 minutes to contain the main body of fire. Fire crews remain on scene extinguishing hot spots.

The fire is consider to be suspicious and is under investigation. There is no damage estimate at this time.

At 22:59 hrs the Saskatoon Fire Department dispatched an Engine company to a reported car fire behind 342 Ave R south, on arrival a garbage can, car and the deck on the first floor of an apartment building were on fire. An additional 2 Engines, Aerial truck, Rescue truck and Battalion chief were dispatched to assist with the fire. Fire crews quickly extinguished the fire and evacuated the apartment building. Fire crews searched the building to ensured the fire had not spread and remained on scene to remove smoke form the building. The fire was suspicious in nature and a fire investigator was call to the scene. There is no damage estimate at this time.

At approximately 8:11 this morning, the Saskatoon Fire Department received multiple 911 calls reporting smoke in the hallway and the fire alarm sounding at an apartment building located at 235 Stillwater Drive. The source of the smoke was believed to be coming from suite 104.

Three fire engines, one heavy rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief were immediately dispatched for response. 

Fire crews arrived on scene in less than four minutes and immediately made entry into the apartment building. Upon entry, heavy smoke was observed in the hallway as fire crews advanced towards suite 104. Once inside suite 104, firefighters observed thick black smoke with multiple rooms involved in fire. Two additional fire engines were dispatched for response to assist fire crews working on scene. The gas supply to the building was shut off and utility technicians were notified to respond to the scene. The fire was brought under control within 30 minutes of the first arriving fire crew.

Heavy smoke was present on all floors of the apartment building, as multiple fire crews facilitated an evacuation of the entire structure. During the evacuation, fire crews removed one cat and one dog from a suite on the first floor, reuniting the two pets with their owner outside. Once on the second floor, fire crews found, woke, and assisted one sleeping occupant from their suite and outside to safety. 

Ventilation was initiated to begin clearing the apartment building of remaining smoke and carbon monoxide. One additional aerial ladder truck was dispatched for response to assist in ventilation efforts.

Fire crews remain on scene to continue ventilation and extinguish any hot spots. Fire investigators have started an investigation into the cause of the fire. A damage estimate is not available at this time.

There were no injuries reported as a result of this incident.

An update will be provided as new details become known.

At approximately 9:11 this morning, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call reporting a multi-vehicle collision involving a tractor-trailer unit at the intersection of Highway 5 and Highway 41.

Two fire engines, one heavy rescue unit, and one battalion were immediately dispatched for response. 

Upon arrival of the first responding fire engine, fire crews determined there to be no entrapment or hazardous materials involved and the operational decision was made to cancel the response of the additional responding fire engine and heavy rescue unit. Two passenger vehicles, a black Chevrolet Silverado and a black Ford Edge, were significantly damaged as a result of the collision. A third passenger vehicle, a red Ford Escape, and a tractor-trailer unit also sustained minor damage from the collision. Fire crews performed fluid and debris clean-up on scene. 

There were no serious injuries reported as a result of this collision. 

The Saskatoon Fire Department has now concluded its involvement in this incident. 

At approximately 4:08 this afternoon, the Saskatoon Fire Department received an initial 911 call reporting a fence on fire in the 400 block of Avenue T South. One fire engine was dispatched for response. Several additional 911 calls reported multiple shed-like storage structures on fire at this same location. Two additional fire engines, one heavy rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief were also dispatched to respond.

Upon arrival, fire crews observed multiple sheds and trees on fire with heavy smoke exiting the yards of 454 and 452 Avenue T South. Fire crews, with support from the Saskatoon Police Service, began evacuating the affected properties and securing the area.

An on-board water supply from a fire engine allowed for an immediate attack on the fire, while additional fire crews laid hose lines and connected to hydrants nearby. Utility technicians were requested to examine the area, as downed lines were present on the fire scene. Fire crews had the fire under control in less than 20 minutes.

A fire investigator is working to determine a cause. A damage estimate is not available at this time.

There were no injuries reported as a result of this incident. 

In recent months there has been a noticeable increase in fires resulting from the improper or inadequate storage and disposal of smoking materials; this is of immediate concern to the Saskatoon Fire Department.

Residents are reminded to:

• Keep smoking materials well out of the reach of children,
• Always use a deep ashtray or metal container with a lid to dispose of smoking materials, keeping it a safe distance from anything combustible,
• Never discard smoking materials in vegetation, mulch, peat moss, potted plants, leaves, grasses, or other easily combustible materials, and
• Douse smoking materials in water or sand to ensure they are safely out.

Smoking materials include, but are not limited to:

• Cigarettes,
• Cigars,
• Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), otherwise known as vape pens,
• Drug paraphernalia, and
• Lighters and matches.

NOTE: Although electronic cigarettes do not produce a visible flame or ember, fires have occurred while being used, charged, and transported. Never leave charging electronic cigarettes unattended and always be cautions while they are in use.

Smoking material fires are preventable fires; be sure to properly put it out.

In an emergency, call 911 immediately.