Extension cord to blame for fire in Saskatoon strip mall

The Saskatoon Fire Department has issued a warning about extension cords following a fire in a downtown strip mall on Saturday night.

Crews were called to a strip mall at 25th Street and Second Avenue around 6 p.m. about a possible fire in the kitchen of a convenience store.

Shortly after crews arrived, the ceiling collapsed inside the business and crews backed off for safety reasons and extinguished the fire from the outside of the building, according to a news release.

Multiple extension cords were found throughout the business and a fire investigator determined the cause and source of the fire was an extension cord plugged into a timer that was being served by another extension cord.

The fire travelled along the cord and proceeded up the wall and into the ceiling, catching the roof components on fire.

The fire service is reminding the public that extension cords are a temporary source of electricity and should not be used as a permanent means of wiring.

“Safe practice is to have all small and large appliances plugged directly into an outlet,” the release said. “Interior extension cords should not be plugged in for long periods of time. They need to be unplugged so they don’t overheat internally or overload an electrical circuit and cause a fire.

“As a safety measure, always check the condition of your extension cords to ensure they are not frayed, damaged or showing signs of aging.”

There were no injuries.

Damage is estimated at $500,000.