Saskatoon Fire - News Releases
Saskatoon News Releases
Structure Fire - 100 Block of Tufts Way
September 27, 2023 - 8:00 am
At 3:36 a.m. on September 27, 2023, the Saskatoon Fire Department Communications Center received a 9-1-1 call reporting a fire in a partially constructed duplex. Three fire engines, one ladder truck, one rescue unit and the Battalion Chief were dispatched. First arriving fire crews reported smoke and flames showing. Fire was brought under control at 3:50 a.m. The Fire Investigator was requested to attend.
There was no persons inside at the time of SFD's attendance. No injuries to civilians or firefighters occurred as a result of this fire.
A scene examination was conducted by the SFD Fire Investigator who concluded this fire was deliberately set. Origin of the fire was on the main floor causing $5000 damage to a framed up wall.
Saskatoon Police will be following up on their portion of the investigation. If anyone has information regarding this fire, please call 306-975-8300.
Commercial Fire in Corman Park
September 21, 2023 - 11:45 am
On September 20, 2023 at 7:26pm the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) received a call reporting what appeared to be a structure on fire at an industrial park along 16 Highway just past 71st Street in the RM of Corman Park.
Two fire engines, one brush truck, one rescue unit, one tanker and the Battalion Chief were dispatched. First arriving fire crews on scene reported smoke and flames at the rear of the building. Fire suppression activities commenced on a pile of material adjacent to the building with fire crews bringing the fire under control at 7:56pm. Entry into the interior of the structure was made to see if fire had entered the building. It was confirmed the fire had not entered the building and that there was a build-up of light smoke only. Fire crews continued to monitor the structural components of the building with thermal imaging cameras and searched for fire extension. No fire extension was discovered.
The fire was declared extinguished at 8:41pm. This fire event was located within the Municipality of Corman Park which is recognized as the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agencies district of responsibility and therefore a Saskatoon Fire Investigator did not attend.
No injuries to civilians or firefighters occurred as a result of this fire.
Damage estimate is unknown.
Saskatoon Fire Chief Morgan Hackl named National Fire Chief of the Year
September 20, 2023 - 3:00 pm
On September 19, 2023, Chief Hackl was presented with the 2023 National Fire Chief of the Year Award by the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs. The theme - partnerships and community safety & well-being (CSWB).
Chief Hackl was recognized for reimagining and expanding the roles of Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) in non-traditional public safety initiatives through community collaboration and outreach partnerships. By embracing creative solutions and out-of-the box thinking, SFD continually found new ways to support and provide leadership in community safety.
City Manager, Jeff Jorgenson, says "Chief Hackl is a true community leader. He gained firsthand knowledge of the challenges to the most vulnerable in the community he serves, participating this year in the Sanctum Survivor Challenge, where he spent 36 hours living as if homeless on the streets of Saskatoon.”
Jorgenson says Chief Hackl recognizes that community challenges are a shared responsibility, and that Saskatoon Fire plays a key role our community’s most challenging issues. From his role as a strong mentor and supporter of Saskatoon Fire Executive Officers, to his leadership throughout the Covid-19 pandemic - specifically his team putting in place an Incident Management structure to assist over 50 community agencies working with Saskatoon’s most vulnerable.
Jorgenson also praises Chief Hackl’s ability to forge important relationships, such as his partnership building between Saskatchewan Health Authority and Saskatoon Fire to establish an Overdose Outreach Team comprised of Saskatoon Fire Primary Care Paramedics and SHA Addictions Counsellors is another example of his unique and innovative approach. Jorgenson adds Hackl believes in and supports a whole-community Emergency Management and Community Risk Reduction approach that engages all partners in problem solving and shared leadership.
“It takes vision and courage to lead the way Chief Hackl does and as an organization we congratulate him on this much deserved recognition!”
Hackl has been a member of the Saskatoon Fire Department for 35 years, starting as a firefighter and moving up to captain. He later served as battalion chief and assistant chief before being promoted to his current role in 2015.
Recyclable Material Fire - 1900 block 1st Avenue North
September 15, 2023 - 3:00 pm
At 12:38 p.m. on September 15, 2023, the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) Communications Center received a report of a possible structure fire at a commercial property in the 1900 Block of 1st Avenue North. SFD dispatched three fire engines, one ladder truck, one rescue unit and the Battalion Chief. First arriving apparatus reported the fire was isolated to a pile of recyclable material outside the structure and not threating to spread. Other responding apparatus were downgraded to a non emergent response to minimize the impact on the public.
Fire crews with the help of the staff on site spread the pile out in the parking lot allowing the fire to be readily extinguished. The on duty SFD Fire Investigator was requested to attend.
The fire was brought under control at 1:07 p.m. The damage was isolated to the recyclable material with no damage sustained to equipment or the structure. No staff or firefighters were injured because of this fire. Fire crews and the fire investigator have all returned to their respective stations.
Multiple suspicious fires - Stonebridge Boulevard, Clarence Avenue South, Cope Crescent
September 14, 2023 - 4:30 pm
At 2:57 a.m., on September 14, 2023, the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) received a 911 call reporting a fire in the 100 Block of Stonebridge Boulevard. Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one ladder truck and the Battalion Chief were dispatched. On arrival, multiple gas pumps and the canopy over the pumps were observed to be on fire. All responding fire crews were assigned their tactical duties. The fire was brought under control quickly and the crews used the ladder truck to access the canopy to ensure the fire was fully extinguished. The Fire Investigator was requested to attend. Fire caused $40,000 in damage, and is considered suspicious.
The SFD Fire Investigator was made aware of other fires that were small but of interest due to the time lines.
A fire was investigated in the 3000 Block of Clarence Avenue South which occurred at 3:51 a.m. on September 14, 2023. This fire was contained to a metal bin used to contain discarded material. The fire is considered suspicious. Incident 23-17036
A third fire was investigated in the 100 Block of Cope Crescent which occurred at 3:59 a.m. on September 14, 2023. This fire was contained to a small waste disposal bin. This fire is considered suspicious. Incident 23-17038.
Another call was made to Saskatoon Fire Central Dispatch Center at 7:22 am on September 14, 2023. The caller reported an extinguished fire in the 3000 block of Clarence Avenue South. This was a separate address from the previous fire call that morning. On arrival fire crews found multiple waste disposal bins that showed signs of an extinguished fire. These fires are considered suspicious. Incident 23-17040
These fires will be followed up by the Saskatoon Police Service.
If anyone has any information or evidence related to these fires, please contact the Saskatoon Police Service at 306-975-8300.
Structure Fire - 000 block of Morris Drive
September 11, 2023 - 9:00 am
At 2:40 a.m. on September 11, 2023, the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) received a call for a house on fire. They reported that occupants were evacuating. Three fire engines, one ladder truck, one rescue unit and the Battalion Chief were dispatched. Second caller reported the fire at the rear of the house. First arriving fire crews reported flames going through the roof. All incoming fire crews were assigned their tactical duties. An offensive extinguishment was initiated by the firefighters. On the main floor, firefighters encountered heavy fire load making their advancement challenging into the structure. At 3:26 a.m. the fire was brought under control.
Two occupants, a dog and three snakes evacuated safely. No injuries to firefighters or civilians occurred as a result of this fire.
The Fire Investigator is in attendance conducting a cause and origin scene examination. Fire originated on the attached deck at the rear of the single family dwelling unit. A cause will be released as soon as practical. Damage is estimated at $200,000.
Update for fire - 600 Block Spadina Crescent East
September 10, 2023 - 12:00 pm
Fire investigation has been concluded for the structure fire in the 600 Block of Spadina Crescent East. A door was identified as having been breached to the storage room prior to the fire crew's arrival. Fire originated and was contained to the storage room. Cause has been deemed suspicious with $20,000 in damage. The Saskatoon Police Service will continue their portion of the investigation.
Structure Fire - 600 Block of 31st Street West
September 10, 2023 - 11:45 am
At 1:24 a.m. on September 10, 2023, the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) received a call for a report of a house on fire in the 300 Block of 31st Street West. Three fire engines, one ladder truck, one rescue unit and the Battalion Chief were dispatched. On arrival, fire crews reported smoke coming from the rear of single family dwelling unit. All incoming fire crews were assigned their tactical duties. All occupants were out of the home at the time of SFD's arrival. Fire was located in the basement.
Fire was brought under control at 1:24 a.m.
Fire Investigator was handed over the fire scene to perform a cause and origin scene examination. Fire still under investigation and will be reported as soon as practical.
Firefighters’ National Memorial Day
September 8, 2023 - 9:00 am
As a tribute to the firefighters who risk their lives to keep Canadians safe, the second Sunday in September of each year is formally designated in memory of firefighters who have fallen in the line of duty. This year, Firefighters’ National Memorial Day will take place on Sunday, September 10.
“Firefighters put their lives on the line in service every day,” says Fire Chief Morgan Hackl. “On Firefighters’ National Memorial Day, SFD joins cities and fire departments across the country to honour and remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and to commemorate their courage and unwavering dedication to serving our communities.”
The Saskatoon Fire Department will observe a moment of silence at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 10. Firefighters will be at attention on the ramps of their stations and flags at half-mast in honour of Firefighters’ National Memorial Day.
Structure Fire - 600 Block Spadina Crescent East
September 7, 2023 - 8:30 am
At 6:46 a.m. on September 7, 2023 the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) received a report of a smoke smell behind a hotel structure in the 600 Block of Spadina Crescent East. The caller did not know where the smoke was coming from, one fire engine was dispatched. On arrival, fire crews identified there was a fire in a storage room at the rear of the hotel. An additional two fire engines, one ladder truck, one rescue unit and the Battalion Chief were dispatched. Access to the storage room was gained and the fire was quickly brought under control at 7:03 a.m.
The Fire Investigator is on scene at this time and an update will be provided as soon as practical.