Tag Archives: Saskatchewan

Saskatoon, SK, Canada – Sprinkler system activated for fire at commercial building; No injuries reported

The fire Sunday in the 400-block Wellman Crescent was deemed accidental based on the investigation done by the Saskatoon Fire Department.

The fire investigator concluded the cause of the fire was accidental due to the internal heating of oil-soaked rags used for staining which ignited.

Construction materials that were also near the area of the oil-soaked rags also caught fire but the sprinkler system kept the fire small on the second floor of the commercial structure.

No civilians or firefighters were reportedly injured as a result of the fire, which had estimated damage of $10,000.

On Sunday, at 5:14 p.m. on Sept. 11, the SFD received a call from the alarm monitoring company that indicated a structure fire in the 400 block of Wellman Crescent

One fire engine was dispatched to investigate what might have triggered the alarm from the property.

Arriving fire crews indicated the fire alarm was ringing and water was flowing from the automatic sprinkler system on the second floor.

After further investigation, it was identified that there was smoke visible on the second floor and two more fire engines, a ladder truck, a rescue unit and the Battalion Chief were dispatched.

The fire was reported extinguished at 5:41 p.m. as the sprinkler system helped minimize the damage.

Saskatoon, SK, Canada – Sprinkler system activated for fire at homeless shelter; No injuries reported

A fire that originated in a suite in the Lighthouse in Saskatoon resulted in several residents fleeing the building overnight.

The Lighthouse is a supported living facility and homeless shelter in the city.

In a release, the Saskatoon Fire Department said it received a report of a fire in a third floor suite at around 3:19 a.m. CST on Friday. When fire crews arrived, they saw occupants from that floor leaving the building.

The fire department said the fire created heavy smoke but low heat, because the sprinkler system activated and kept the fire in a small state. Fire crews finished putting out the fire.

It said fire damage was contained to the one suite, but water had drained from the suite and affected approximately 15 suites, mainly ceiling tiles.

Initially, the fire department said it was possible some residents might need to be rehoused as a result of the fire. Later Friday morning, it said no residents will be displaced, as significant water damage was confined to the one suite and the Lighthouse will accommodate its occupant.

The department said cleanup is underway and the suite is expected to be fit for occupancy by early next week.

A fire investigator determined the cause was accidental due to improper disposal of smoking material, the department said. Damage was initially estimated at $150,000, but that has since been revised down to $40,000.

No one was injured.

Saskatoon, SK, Canada – Fire sprinkler extinguishes fire before fire crews arrive

The Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) responded to a call from an alarm company at 6:21 a.m. for a fire signal in the 200 block of Arlingon Ave.

Three engines and an aerial unit were dispatched, according to a press release from the fire department.

When fire crews arrived, they found water flowing from a sprinkler head and a small extinguished fire.

The water protection system had put out the fire before SFD arrived, the department said.

Fire crews ventilated the building to remove smoke and stopped the water flow from the activated sprinkler head.

A SFD fire investigator conducted an examination saying the fire was determined to be accidental due to smudging materials for a spiritual ritual being too close to the other combustible material.

The damage is estimated to be $10,000.

The SFD is recommending that property owners consider purchasing a lockbox providing keys to create an ease of access for fire crews to enter rooms, fire protection equipment and other areas.

By providing a lockbox, it allows fire crews to gain access quickly to emergency situations, the department said.

Saskatoon, SK, Canada – Fire sparked by candle put out by fire sprinklers at 13-story apartment

A candle sparked a fire that forced the evacuation of a 13-storey apartment building in Saskatoon on Sunday.

The Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) said it received a residential fire signal from the building at 530 25th St. E. at 3:23 p.m.

Nothing was showing from the exterior of the building when crews arrived, but a check found smoke on the third floor from a fire in a suite, SFD said.

The building was evacuated and residents were taken to the neighbouring YWCA building. Tenants with mobility issues were sheltered in their suites.

The fire department said the building’s sprinkler system put out the fire prior to their arrival, but heavy smoke remained throughout the third floor.

Higher carbon monoxide levels were reported on the third floor and above, SFD said, and positive pressure ventilation was used on each floor to remove smoke and toxic gasses.

Residents were allowed back to their apartments once carbon monoxide levels returned to zero.

A fire investigator determined a candle ignited stationary on a desk, starting the fire.

Damage is estimated at $100,000 due to the significant amount of water discharged from the sprinkler system.

Regina, SK, Canada – Boy sets fire to paper towel aisle at superstore, fire sprinklers keep fire at bay; No injuries reported

A 12-year-old boy is scheduled to appear in court Thursday in connection with a fire that started in the paper towel aisle of the Rochdale Walmart in Regina’s north end.

The boy has been charged with arson, the Regina Police Service said.

Police and fire trucks rushed to the store around 8:30 p.m. CST on Tuesday, after smoke was reported in the building. Staff and shoppers were evacuated from the building.

“The building was filled with a really thick, bad-smelling smoke,” said Jordan Blodgett, who was at a Tim Hortons near the store and saw the fire response.

Taylor Deis was at Walmart at the time and confirmed the fire was coming from the paper towel aisle. She captured a quick video before staff and customers had to leave.

Fellow shopper Michelle Morrow never saw the source of the fire, nor did she hear a fire alarm.

Her only indication that something was wrong, aside from the smoke, was a man speaking unclearly over the intercom telling people to “get out.”

Morrow said she wasn’t impressed by the evacuation methods.

Blodgett took video of the scene outdoors, showing a smokey haze floating from the Walmart entrance and red fire truck lights flashing.

Regina police say firefighters put out the fire and cleared the building. Fire Marshal Randy Ryba said investigators were on scene until about 1 a.m. assessing the situation. 

He confirmed the fire was started in the paper towel section of the store. The building’s sprinkler system kept the fire at bay until fire crews arrived on the scene, he said.

“I’m not sure if it was a lighter or match, but that’s all it took,” Ryba said. “It did cause a great deal of smoke and water damage throughout the store.”

Ryba said Walmart is assessing the damage and said it would be “a great deal of time” before the store can reopen.

When contacted by CBC News, Walmart said once the necessary clean-up and repair work is completed, the store will reopen. In the meantime, staff at the Rochdale location will be working in nearby stores.

Police say no one was injured.

Police said the investigation was assisted by management and security staff at the store, who made surveillance video available.

Saskatoon, SK, Canada – Sprinkler system confines fire at recycling center; Assists firefighters in extinguishing difficult blaze

No one was injured after a fire broke out at the Loraas Recycling facility on First Avenue North in Saskatoon on Monday afternoon. The Saskatoon Fire Department said it received the initial call reporting the fire just after 1 p.m. When crews arrived, they encountered heavy smoke coming from an overhead door of a building. They determined the location of the fire and started an offensive interior attack, the fire department said in a media release. The fire briefly intensified as firefighters tried to put out the seat, or main body, of the fire. Another engine was called out to assist crews at the scene, the fire department said in the release.

The fire involved cardboard and machinery. The fire, “very difficult to extinguish,” was brought under control in just over two hours, the fire department said. Employees left the building before the fire crew arrived and a sprinkler system had activated, confining the fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation. No damage estimate is available.

Saskatoon, SK, Canada – Sprinkler system assists firefighters in extinguishing early morning apartment fire

At around 1:40 a.m. CST, the Saskatoon Fire Department responded to a call of smoke coming from an apartment complex on the 1300 block of 20th Street W. A mattress had caught fire in the building and its occupants were forced outside. Ventilation fans were put in place to clear the smoke after firefighters were able to put out the fire with the help of an existing water sprinkler head. The cause of the fire is undetermined at this point.

Saskatoon, SK, Canada – Sprinkler extinguishes apartment fire started by unattended candle

According to the Saskatoon fire department, just before 2 a.m.  fire dispatchers received numerous calls of a fire at 431 3rd Ave. North.

Multiple people were found evacuating the multi-story building. Crews made their way to the 12th floor where they found a suite with fire damage. A sprinkler head had already been activated and extinguished the fire.

An investigator has determined that an unattended candle was the cause of the fire.

Sprinkler system contains fire to one room at senior apartment complex (Saskatoon, SK)

A kitchen fire prompted the evacuation of a seniors apartment complex Wednesday afternoon.  The Saskatoon Fire Department was called to the apartment building at 2315 20th Street West just after 1:30 p.m.  Crews found smoke on the fourth floor of the building before locating the fire in a single suite. The building’s sprinkler system was able to contain the blaze to one room, the fire department said in a media release.  The blaze started during a tenant move. A plastic container left on a stove caught fire after a stove element was accidentally turned on.  Damage is estimated at $40,000. No one was injured during the incident.

Sprinklers keep damage minimal at recycling facility fire (Regina, SK)

A fire broke out at a recycling plant the afternoon of Friday, April 25. The fire began in a measuring bin, which had a fire sprinkler head installed in it. The sprinkler head activated and contained the fire to the bin until fire crews responded. Everyone was safely evacuated, and the exact cause of the fire is under investigation.

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