Early-morning apartment fire in Saskatoon caused by items on stove

Saskatoon’s fire chief is reminding people to keep a close eye on things that could catch fire over the holiday season after two accidental fires in the city.

Fire Chief Morgan Hackl said firefighters responded to an apartment fire at Matheson Drive and 33rd Street West on Friday around 7 a.m.

Crews who responded were met with heavy smoke in the hallway of the apartment block.

Hackl said three pumper trucks, a rescue truck and an aerial truck, along with the battalion chief, responded to the fire, which was found in a first-floor suite.

The fire has been determined to have been accidental, caused by combustible items left on the stove. Hackl clarified the fire was not caused by cooking.

“If you’re cooking or if you’re in the kitchen, anything where you’re around a heat source should not be left unattended,” said Hackl, who reminded people about “being conscious, being aware of what’s around us (and) attending to candles.”

A blaze that broke out Thursday morning at the Thriftlodge on Idylwyld Drive North was caused by a cigarette that was not properly disposed of and also ruled accidental.

The motel suite where the fire originated was found by investigators to not be equipped with a smoke alarm.

For the every-day Saskatoon resident, Hackl said it’s the perfect time to make safety your new year’s resolution.

“It’s something that we talk about that (smoke alarms) should be changed out every year and what better time than prior to the Christmas season,” he said.