SASKATOON — Two occupants, along with their pet dog and three snakes, evacuated safely in an early morning structure fire on Monday, Sept. 11, at the 000 block of Morris Drive. The Saskatoon Fire Department dispatch centre received the call at 2:40 a.m.
The first caller reported a single-family dwelling unit was on fire, and the occupants were leaving their house. At that time, another caller informed dispatch the fire was coming out at the rear of the said structure.
Three fire engines, one ladder truck, a rescue unit, and the Battalion Chief were dispatched with the first arriving crews, flames already reaching through the roof. The incident commander assigned tactical duties to other incoming fire crews.
Fire crews began offensive extinguishment but encountered a heavy fire load on the main floor of the house that made it difficult to advance further into the structure. The fire was declared under control at 3:26 a.m.; no injuries to firefighters or civilians were reported.
The attending fire investigator said the fire originated on the attached rear deck of the house, with the damage estimated at $200,000. The cause of the fire will soon be released after the fire investigator concludes his inquiry.
The SFD also responded to a separate house fire on Sunday, Sept. 10, at 1:24 p.m. in the 300 block of 31st Street West with three fire engines, one ladder truck, a rescue unit, and the Battalion Chief being dispatched to the scene.
All occupants were reported to have evacuated safely before the firefighters arrived at the scene. Fire crews saw the smoke coming from the rear of the single-family dwelling unit, and the origin was located in the basement.
The fire was brought under control at 1:24 a.m. and the scene was later turned over to the fire investigator, who performed a cause and origin examination after crews ensured it was safe. The final report has yet to be released.
In other news, the SFD released an update on the fire in the 600 block of Spadina Crescent East, where it was identified that the door was breached in the storage room before responding firefighters arrived.
The fire originated and was contained in the storage room, with the cause being suspicious. The Saskatoon Police Service will continue the investigation of the fire that caused $20,000 in damage.
