SASKATOON — Improper disposal of smoking material caused a fatal fire early Monday morning, according to the Fire Investigator dispatched to the scene.
The Saskatoon Fire Department, at 2:34 a.m., received a report of a fire on the third floor of an apartment building at 202 Avenue P South with one person possibly still inside.
Four engines, a ladder truck, and heavy rescue unit were dispatched along with the Battalion Chief and a Fire Investigator.
Fire crews, upon arrival, saw flames coming from the third-floor balcony of the apartment unit. The crew suspected the occupant was still inside the burning suite.
Firefighters advanced a hose line to apply water to the fire while another crew began clearing the building. Firefighters located and removed three occupants from the burning suite.
Firefighters worked on an interior suppression attack through the balcony door and bedroom window of the suite. The fire was contained to the one suite on the third floor.
Two of those rescued were transferred to the ambulance service for treatment. SFD Firefighter Paramedics completed a primary assessment to check the vital signs of the third occupant and determined the person was deceased.
The fire was contained to the one suite and was under control at 3:01 am. During the salvage and overhaul stage, crews ventilated the building of residual smoke and carbon monoxide.
SFD’s Fire Investigator determined the fire originated in the living room of the suite. There were no smoke alarms present inside the suite at the time of the fire. Damage is estimated at $50,000.
