SASKATOON — Improper disposal of smoking material caused a condominium building in the 300 block of 108th Street West to go up in flames, an incident that started late Friday night and stretched to Saturday.
The Saskatoon Fire Department dispatched six fire engines, two ladder trucks, a rescue unit and the Battalion Chief to the scene of the three-storey building located at 108th Street and Bryans Avenue.
The SFD also set up their mobile emergency management unit as a command post due to the seriousness of the fire that took firefighters hours to contain. Utility companies were also notified and assisted in shutting down their services for safety.
A fire investigator was also dispatched to the scene to perform a cause and origin investigation of the fire. The fire investigator took over the scene once fire crews completed putting out the fire in the structure.
The investigator determined the fire to have originated in the northwest corner of the ground floor exterior of the structure and the cause was accidental due to improper disposal of smoking material. The damage is estimated to be $5 million dollars.
The SFD followed their established incident command structure, tactical duties and roles at the fire scene as the wood frame construction with the roof fully involved in fire. SFD personnel worked as a team and firefighters prioritized their efforts to get occupants to safety.
The fire was challenging due to many circumstances as firefighters performed rescues and battled extreme fire conditions. No injuries or fatalities to any occupants or firefighters occurred as a result of this fire.
This was a spectacular team effort by all SFD personnel where tactical training, firefighting experience, an emergency management command system and partner agencies supported this fire with as much of a positive outcome as could be expected.
The burnt portion of the structure was partially taken down by an excavation company to properly extinguish the fire and reduce the risk of further collapse.
The property was turned over to the condominium board’s property management company on Sunday and the site was required to be secured.
Some occupants require rehousing and the Salvation Army is making arrangements.
