Watch above: A demonstration at the University of Saskatchewan shows the dangers of dorm fires
SASKATOON – Things got a little heated Thursday at the University of Saskatchewan. To promote fire safety on campus, the Saskatoon Fire Department simulated an actual fire by building a replica dorm room and setting it ablaze.
Firefighters used common situational items such as a lit cigarette, a hot stove, over an overheated laptop to show just how fast a fire can start.
“If you’re cooking your KD, make sure your aren’t cooking unattended,” said Quinton Zook, director of consumer services at the university.
“If you’re burning candles, make sure that you are putting them out before you take a break. Make sure you’re putting those fires out before any damage can happen.”
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Crews lit a second room on fire to show the importance of having a working sprinkler system, which extinguished itself within 75 seconds.
The room without a sprinkler was fully engulfed within two minutes and 20 seconds. Crews eventually put it out.
Organizers hope the demonstration makes fire safety top of mind this school year, especially in a multi-room building such as campus dorms.
Jacqueline Wilson contributed to this report
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