SASKATOON – The Saskatoon Fire Department extinguished two garage fires on the weekend. No injuries have been reported but the collective damage of garage blazes in the city is growing.
The first was reported around 1:15 p.m. Saturday. Two separate callers said there was thick black smoke coming from a detached garage in the Willowgrove neighbourhood.
Firefighters arrived at 806 Padget Crescent and verified no one was inside the structure.
The fire was extinguished and then ventilated. Damage is estimated at $10,000 and the cause is under investigation.
READ MORE: Increase in Saskatoon garage fires alarming officials
At noon Sunday, the fire department received multiple 911 calls about another garage fire in the Confederation Park neighrbourhood. Crews arrived at 915 Steeves Avenue to find heavy smoke coming from a detached garage.
The homeowner verified that no one was inside and then firefighters extinguished the blaze. Damage is estimated at $15,000.
Fire investigator determined an extension cord with a space heater hooked up to it overheated, cause the fire.
The two most recent fires bring the number of garage fires to at least nine since the beginning of October. Last year, there were four garage fires from the beginning of October until the end of December.
Fire department officials say the cause of recent garage fires have ranged from welding to cooking and started after someone using the garage left. Officials are encouraging people to be extra cautious when using their garage, be aware of recent heat sources and make sure there is no possibility a fire could start.
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