SASKATOON — The Saskatoon Fire Department received two calls early Saturday morning, Jan. 28, the first one a fire in an apartment complex and the other a collapsing structure.
SFD dispatch centre was notified at 1:13 a.m. of a fire alarm ringing in a suite in an apartment in the 1100 block of Avenue W North.
Another caller confirmed the fire was in a basement suite of the said apartment. Three fire engines, one ladder truck, a rescue unit and the Battalion Chief were dispatched.
Arriving fire crews saw the smoke coming from the three-story apartment and the fire was brought under control at 1:33 a.m.
The fire investigator took over the scene and determined the fire originated in the bedroom causing $40,000 in damage.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation and an update will be provided once a determination has been made.
In another incident, SFD was notified at 3:03 a.m. by the Saskatoon Police Service of a building in the 400 block of 51st Street East with water leaking and noises being heard inside.
A fire engine and the Battalion Chief were dispatched and SFD crews identified a building whose roof was collapsing inwardly.
Utility companies were requested to prevent further damage and risk of utilities being ruptured or exposed.
Exterior walls were failing from the structure being compromised by the roof's pressure. There were no occupants in the building.
The fire investigator went to the building on 51st Street after finishing the fire investigation in the apartment complex in Avenue W North.
The fire investigator, working with the property management company, arranged to secure the site with fencing.
The SFD has closed the building and has required an assessment to be performed by a structural engineer.
Once the assessment has been conducted and provided to SFD, the next logical step toward the remedy of the structural concern will be required.
No injuries were reported in either incident and SFD is thanking their SPS partners who were able to provide photos of the roof from their plane.
