Saskatoon Fire - News Releases

The investigation into a fire that occurred on June 27, 2020 in the 100 block of Stechishin Crescent and caused approximately $150,000 in damage has concluded. A fire investigator has identified the fire to be accidental as a result of the improper use of an extension cord; it was pinched beneath a piece of furniture when it overheated, began arcing, and ignited nearby items.

The Fire Prevention and Investigation section reminds members of the public that extension cords are intended for temporary use only and can pose a serious hazard when used incorrectly. Never run extension cords across doorways or under carpets; this increases the possibility of a fire and also a fall!

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At approximately 1:36 p.m. on June 27, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received multiple 911 calls reporting a possible structure fire in the 100 block of Stechishin Crescent. Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief were dispatched for response. 

In less than four minutes, firefighters arrived on scene to find a residential structure producing visible smoke; all occupants were confirmed to have been outside and uninjured. An immediate interior attack was initiated with fire crews locating and extinguishing a fire in the basement; at around 2:16 p.m. the fire was considered to be under control. There was no further extension of the fire beyond the basement. Ventilation was established to clear the structure of remaining smoke and carbon monoxide before firefighters concluded and turned the scene over to a fire investigator. 

The fire investigator is continuing to analyze the scene to identify a cause and origin. Damage has been estimated at approximately $150,000.

The Saskatoon Fire Department would like to remind residents and visitors of safe practices for purchasing, enjoying, and disposing of fireworks. This Canada Day, Wednesday, July 1st, low-hazard fireworks can only be discharged on private property between the hours of dusk and 11:00 p.m.

Low-hazard fireworks are designed for public recreational use and include roman candles and sparklers, among others, and travel less than 50m (160ft) high.

High-hazard fireworks are designed for professionals and can only be purchased by persons holding a valid Fireworks Supervisor – Level I or Level II card issued by Natural Resources Canada.

Residents and visitors are reminded of the risks and obligations associated with fireworks:

• Carefully read and follow the manufacturer instructions,
• Exercise increased caution when handling and discharging any type of firework,
• Choose your location wisely, noting that fireworks can only be discharged on private property,
• Ensure your location is free of overhead obstructions, is clear side-to-side, and is a safe distance from combustible materials,
• Familiarize yourself with the space requirements for the type of firework being discharged; requirements vary depending on the firework type,
• Be sure to properly stabilize the firework according to manufacturer direction, and
• Keep in mind that you are solely responsible for any debris that may land on your spectators or another’s property.

After dusk, when you are ready to discharge the fireworks, ensure that it is not windy and that all spectators are safely located to observe the display. Remember to always light the fuse at its tip; other than sparklers, never light or hold a lit firework in your hand. Always have a water supply available when discharging fireworks.

Wait at least 30 minutes before beginning the clean-up process. At that time, it’s a good idea to dispose of used fireworks and debris in a pail of water. Never try to relight or fix the fuse on fireworks that didn’t go off.

Always be extremely careful when discharging fireworks. The debris or smoldering embers could cause injuries, property damage, and/or fires.

Currently, there is no fire ban in effect for the City of Saskatoon; for residents and visitors in surrounding communities, please consult your rural municipality for information specific to your area. If you choose to celebrate Canada Day by sending off your own fireworks, remember to follow all recommended safety practices and comply with public health orders, including physical distancing measures and public gathering restrictions relative to COVID-19.

The Saskatoon Fire Department wishes everyone a safe and happy Canada Day, eh!

At approximately 9:02 p.m. on June 29, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department was alerted to a motor vehicle collision in the area of Highway 11 and Grasswood Road; it was reported that a single vehicle had rolled and that at least one occupant was ejected from the vehicle. Two fire engines, one rescue unit, and one battalion chief were dispatched for immediate response.

Upon arrival, firefighters located a Pontiac sedan that had struck a light standard prior to rolling. Two adults, an infant, and a three year-old child were all out of the damaged vehicle prior to the arrival of fire crews; the three year-old child had been ejected from the vehicle during the rollover while the remaining three occupants self-evacuated the vehicle afterwards. All occupants were alert when transported to hospital by ambulance; their current conditions and severity of injuries is not known at this time. Traffic was temporarily restricted in the area while emergency personnel worked on scene.

Fire dispatchers contacted the appropriate utility technicians for repair of the light standard and damaged wires; the Royal Canadian Mounted Police remained on scene until this work was started. Firefighters cleared the scene and returned to their stations at around 9:41 p.m.

At approximately 4:05 a.m. on June 28, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a single 911 call reporting a vehicle on fire in the 400 block of Avenue U South. One fire engine and one fire investigation unit were dispatched for response.

Arriving on scene in about four minutes, firefighters located two small fires burning on the outside of a vehicle. Using the fire engine's on-board water supply, fire crews extinguished both fires within minutes of arrival. This fire presented as suspicious and was later confirmed to be incendiary. A fire investigator has estimated the damage to be approximately $2,500.

Non-emergent suspicious activity can be reported by calling 306-975-8300. In an emergency, call 911 immediately. 

On June 28, 2020 at around 12:48 p.m., the Saskatoon Fire Department initiated response to a condominium building in the 100 block of Willis Crescent after receiving notification from an alarm company that the monitored fire alarm was sounding. While firefighters were en-route, fire dispatchers processed another call for a water concern at the same address. One fire engine and one aerial ladder truck responded.

Upon arrival, firefighters found water flowing and smoke exiting from a unit inside the building. Fire crews breached the door and made entry into the unit to find that the building's sprinkler system had suppressed a fire in the kitchen. While conducting a search of the unit, one cat was located and removed by firefighters; the animal did not appear to be in distress when rescued. All occupants of the building had self-evacuated prior to the arrival of fire crews and no injuries were sustained. 

A fire investigation unit was later dispatched to the scene; the fire investigator has identified the fire to be accidental and to have originated in the kitchen. Damage has been estimated at approximately $100,000.

At approximately 1:36 p.m. on June 27, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received multiple 911 calls reporting a possible structure fire in the 100 block of Stechishin Crescent. Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief were dispatched for response. 

In less than four minutes, firefighters arrived on scene to find a residential structure producing visible smoke; all occupants were confirmed to have been outside and uninjured. An immediate interior attack was initiated with fire crews locating and extinguishing a fire in the basement; at around 2:16 p.m. the fire was considered to be under control. There was no further extension of the fire beyond the basement. Ventilation was established to clear the structure of remaining smoke and carbon monoxide before firefighters concluded and turned the scene over to a fire investigator. 

The fire investigator is continuing to analyze the scene to identify a cause and origin. Damage has been estimated at approximately $150,000.

At approximately 12:13 a.m. on June 28, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a 911 call from an employee of a fast food restaurant in the 900 block of 51st Street East reporting a commercial kitchen appliance on fire. Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief responded.

Fire crews arrived on scene in less than four minutes to find all occupants self-evacuating; it was reported that attempts by staff members to extinguish the fire were unsuccessful. Firefighters ensured utilities servicing the appliance were shut down before using a dry chemical fire extinguisher and the building's automatic extinguishing system to fully extinguish the fire; the commanding fire officer considered the loss to be stopped at around 12:44 a.m.. Fire crews established a laddered connection to the building's roof to search for possible extension of the fire; with no extension found, firefighters turned the building over to a fire investigator and returned to their stations.

A fire investigator has confirmed the fire to have been an accidental grease fire that originated inside of a commercial deep fryer. Damage has been estimated at approximately $10,000. 

At approximately 3:18 a.m. on June 29, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department was alerted to a motor vehicle collision at Idylwyld Drive North and Highway 16; it was reported that a single vehicle had rolled, trapping an occupant inside. Two fire engines, one rescue unit, and one battalion chief were dispatched for response.

Firefighters arrived in about four minutes and immediately began work to stabilize and de-energize a Hyundai SUV; of the vehicle's two occupants, one middle-aged female had self-evacuated prior to the arrival of fire crews and one middle-aged male was confirmed to be trapped inside with critical injuries. The trapped occupant was medically assessed and treated by firefighter-paramedics inside of the heavily damaged vehicle as additional fire crews cut an opening into the passenger side to gain better access.

Both occupants were accompanied by firefighter-paramedics en-route to the hospital; the female driver with undetermined injuries and the male passenger with critical, life-threatening injuries. The scene was preserved and left for the Saskatoon Police Service's Collision Analyst Unit to investigate further. 

Firefighters cleared the scene at around 4:00 a.m. and returned to their stations to continue serving Saskatoon.

At approximately 8:31 p.m. on June 23, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received multiple 911 calls reporting a grass fire in the area of the Wastewater Treatment Plant, located in the 400 block of Whiteswan Drive. One fire engine, one water tanker, one brush truck, one fire investigation unit, and one battalion chief responded. Callers had reported the smoke to be continuously getting worse.

Firefighters first responded to the east end of Adilman Drive to obtain visual confirmation of where the fire was burning; upon completion of that assessment, response was continued into the Wastewater Treatment Plant to position equipment and personnel closer to the location of the fire. Fire crews worked to extinguish the fire along the riverbank until the commanding fire officer declared the fire to be under control at around 8:47 p.m.; firefighters then continued to soak down the area and extinguish hot spots until the loss was considered stopped. There was no imminent risk of extension to nearby structures and no injuries were reported as a result of this incident.

A fire investigator searched the area for a possible source of ignition; however, the investigative findings remained inconclusive. This was the second day in a row that a grass fire was extinguished in this same area.

At approximately 7:39 p.m. on June 22, 2020, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a single 911 call reporting a possible structure fire in the 200 block of East Place. 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 about three minutes to find the exterior cedar siding and cedar roof shakes of a large residential house to have recently been on fire; upon further evaluation, it was determined that a contractor who had been building a fence on-site noticed the fire and extinguished it using buckets of water and a garden hose. Firefighters conducted overhaul efforts and searched for extension prior to returning to their stations to continue serving Saskatoon. There were no injuries to the fire or civilian personnel on scene as a result of this incident.

While examining the fire scene and components of an exterior outlet, a fire investigator has confirmed the fire to be accidental with the cause being electrical in nature. Damage has been estimated at approximately $20,000. The fire is not believed to be related to the work being completed by the contractor that had been on-site.