SASKATOON — Two separate fires occurred over the weekend, one of which cost an estimated damage of $100,000.
Three fire engines, one ladder truck, a rescue unit and the Battalion Chief were dispatched in both fires. Fire investigators were also on the scene in separate incidents.
On Saturday, Feb. 19, a concerned citizen reported seeing smoke coming out of a house in the 100 block of Avenue M Â鶹ÊÓƵ at around 5:11 p.m.
The caller did not know if any person/s were home at the time of the call.
The first fire crew to arrive reported seeing light smoke showing from the front window.
Fire crews entered the residence where they identifies a fire that seemed to be coming in the bedroom and the laundry room with water present.
However, it was not fire but smoke residue from what appeared to be an extinguished fire.
The fire investigator determined the fire was caused by smoking material catching combustibles on fire when the occupant of the house fell asleep.
The occupant was lucky to have woken up, despite the house missing a smoke alarm, just in time to avoid getting burns or the fire spreading out of control that could have resulted in devastating outcomes.
It was learned that the occupant of the house used water to try to extinguish the fire which cost only an estimated $2,000. The occupant was allowed to remain in the house since the fire was small and fire crews already ventilated the structure to remove the smoke.
The fire investigator confirmed the owner maintained smoke alarm records, but it appears the occupant of the home removed it. The fire investigator installed a smoke alarm before leaving the scene to ensure a life-saving device was in place to warn occupants of fire.
The Saskatoon Fire Department again reminded residents to never remove smoke alarms since it is a life-saving device that alerts occupants in the early onset of fire to evacuate safely.
In another incident on Friday, Feb. 18, the SFD received a report at 7:02 p.m. of a garage fire in the 10 block of Morris Drive. The report received that there was paint, acetylene, an oxygen tank and a vehicle inside the structure.
Fire crews, on arrival, saw smoke coming from the garage and immediately prepared to enter the structure. Other arriving fire crews were given tactical duties. Utilities were shut down.
Firefighters encountered smoke as they enter the garage and began advancing the area that was on fire. Fire crews used every safety precaution when battling the blaze as they considered the effects of heat and flame as tanks and chemicals were stored inside.
The fire was brought under control at 7:32 pm and the fire investigator performed a scene examination, where it was learned that the occupant had been doing work inside the garage an hour before the fire.
The sparks from the use of a grinder caught used rags in the area and caused the fire. The fire originated inside the garage where the occupant had been working.
The occupant heard a loud bang then realized the garage was on fire. Stored tires in the garage were the source of the long bang due to the heat and the items catching fire. No one was hurt as a result of the fire, which cost an estimated $100,000.
