Man escapes arson fire by climbing through bedroom window

Saskatoon police are looking for an arsonist behind a condo building fire early Sunday morning in the Lakeview neighbourhood.

Fire crews were called shortly after 5 a.m. about a trapped man inside a main floor suite in the 800 block of Kingsmere Boulevard.

By the time crews arrived on the scene, the man had safely escaped through a bedroom window where flames were coming out. He was treated at the scene for unknown injuries.

The 28 suites inside the building were evacuated for about an hour while crews removed the smoke and checked for dangerous carbon monoxide levels.

In a news release, the fire investigation concluded the cause of the fire is arson as it was deliberately set in the hallway of the suite.

Damage is estimated at $35,000.

The Saskatoon Fire Department is reminding people not to take chances when smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are activated in their home.

“You are safer evacuating than remaining in place,” the release said. “Don’t get complacent, evacuate when you hear your alarms.”