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.