Pair of Saskatoon garage fires started in straw bales between buildings

A pair of garage fires in Saskatoon started when straw bales stored between the buildings caught fire.

According to the Saskatoon Fire Department, firefighters were called to Ash Street on Thursday evening for a report of a detached garage that was burning. When they arrived, however, firefighters found two garages were burning side by side.

The fires were quickly brought under control, the fire department said, but not before causing approximately $70,000 in damage.

An investigation determined the fire started with straw bales that were stored in between the two buildings. The fire department said it could not determine whether the bales were lit, or if the fire started by internal heating that caused the straw to ignite.