Saskatoon Fire deals with multiple suspicious fires in core neighbourhoods

In just over three weeks, 10 homes in Saskatoon’s core neighbourhoods have been destroyed by suspicious fires.

Eight of those 10 homes were vacant, according to the Saskatoon Fire Department’s assistant fire chief Wayne Rodger. The first suspicious fire was recorded on March 24.

Of those vacant homes, seven of eight were located in the Pleasant Hill neighbourhood, with the remaining fires located in neighbouring Riversdale. Rodger called the blazes “undetermined or suspicious.”

“We are looking at all of (the fires), comparing our notes between the various investigators to see if they’re (similar in nature).”

The main similarity the fire investigators have found is the fact that the houses are unoccupied, Rodger said.

Nine of the blazes are still considered active investigations at this time, Rodger said. He explained that with the weather warming up and many out on Saskatoon’s streets, the fire department is asking everyone to be vigilant.

“Keep an eye out. If you see something suspicious, we really encourage the (citizens) to call the Saskatoon Police Service. Let them know what you’re seeing that doesn’t look right. That might be what it takes to locate the individuals that have been starting these fires.”

Rodger said some of the homes had renovations ongoing. He said that adds an additional demand on fire crews, due to openings in the interior of the structures.

“That’s what makes it really, really difficult. So, if there’s drywall removed and fire gets into those spaces, it creates an additional challenge.”

If you have any information regarding the string of fires in the core areas, or any other crime, contact Saskatoon police.