64-year-old dead after smoking sparks accidental fire

A 64-year-old man is dead after smoking started an accidental fire at a home in Saskatoon.

According to the Saskatoon Fire Department, firefighters were called to a house fire on Avenue G North in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The fire broke out in a basement bedroom, the fire department said, where the 64-year-old victim was found unresponsive.

The victim was taken outside and fire crews performed CPR until paramedics arrived. He was rushed to hospital for treatment, but later succumbed to his injuries.

The fire was determined to be accidental, the fire department said, and was caused by the victim smoking while in bed while using assisted oxygen.

One other resident at the home suffered minor injuries in the blaze.

Damage from the fire was estimated at $25,000, the fire department said.