Watch above: The continuing dry weather this spring is causing problems right around the province, most of which is under a fire ban. Aaron Streck says Saskatoon officials are even considering a ban should these conditions persist.
SASKATOON – A fire caused over $450,000 damage to a Wickenden Crescent home Sunday evening. It’s just one in a string of property fires this spring.
“There were bags of leaves and different things that were piled by the home, fire started accidentally went up the side of the home got into the attic and then became a real issue for firefighters,” said Morgan Hackl, Saskatoon Fire Department assistant chief.
The major house fire took 40 minutes for fire fighters to control.
Earlier Sunday afternoon another structure was fully involved when fire crews responded.
READ MORE: 2 house fires, 1 garage blaze in Saskatoon on Sunday
“Accidental cause there but it did start on the exterior of the garage with a mattress and some other debris that was in the yard and in this situation it involved the garage and caused over $20,000 in damage,” said Hackl.
- Posters promoting ‘Steal From Loblaws Day’ are circulating. How did we get here?
- Video shows Ontario police sharing Trudeau’s location with protester, investigation launched
- Canadian food banks are on the brink: ‘This is not a sustainable situation’
- Solar eclipse eye damage: More than 160 cases reported in Ontario, Quebec
The first of three fires Sunday started about 6 a.m. and caused about $200,000 worth of damage. Crews needed to perform an aggressive interior attack at the Avenue G North home.
“In this case the fire was hard to fight because there was a lot of clutter in the home so that increased the fire load, increased the intensity of the fire,” said Hackl.
The Avenue G North fire is still under investigation and it’s not the only one of late; the fire department has been busy this season.
READ MORE: Busy night for Saskatoon Fire Department
“Usually in spring especially when it’s a drier spring, we do see an increase in the number of fires and if we look back on these fires we can always do more in terms of fire safety,” said Hackl.
Controlling and putting out three fires in a day can take its toll.
“It does task our resources but we are set up, we are situated well within the city with our fire stations to serve but when this kind of thing occurs we just have to adjust and make things work,” said Hackl.
Add several grass fires around the city this year and mother nature isn’t helping; Hackle says a little moisture could go a long way.
Comments