Firefighter, resident hurt during escape from burning home

A firefighter and a man rescued from a burning home both had to be taken to hospital Sunday.

The Saskatoon Fire Department was called out to a house at 221 Avenue N South just after 8 p.m.

Crews arriving at the scene found smoke coming out of the three-storey home and were told someone was still inside.

Firefighters went in to the building and found a man on the second floor. They decided to get him out of a second floor window onto a roof and then use a ladder from there.

Both the rescued man and a firefighter who was helping him fell off a ladder as they made their way off the roof. The two were taken to hospital after the fall.

A fire department spokesperson said the firefighter and the man fell about three metres.  The firefighter involved in the incident suffered a broken collarbone and a broken rib. As of Monday morning, he’d been discharged from hospital to recover at home.

The rescued man suffered smoke inhalation. The extent of his injuries from the fall was unknown.

Damage from the blaze was estimated at $100,000.

Investigators determined the fire was caused by an extension cord that had been stapled to a wall before plugging in some Christmas decorations.

“That’s not permitted because there’s a potential to cause damage to the wiring,” said Assistant Fire Chief Wayne Rodger.

He said the incident was an important reminder of some of the safety concerns that can crop up at Christmas time.

“There are more decorations now that require that electrical supply in order to function. You want to make sure all those electrical connections are all sound, and in good shape.”