33rd Street apartment fire leaves Saskatoon man with devastating burns

On the evening of April 7, Heather Dyck received a shocking text from her son, Zakk Grant.

The 30-year-old let his mother know that a fire had started in his basement suite on 33rd Street West.

Dyck tried to contact her son, but couldn’t reach him. Her concern grew with each passing moment as her texts and calls to Grant went unanswered.

The Saskatoon Fire Department received a call at 7:41 p.m. when smoke detectors activated the fire alarm system for the entire building.

The cause of the blaze remains unknown.

The entire building was evacuated, and crews extinguished the fire by dousing the flames from the outside.

By the time help arrived, Grant had already suffered severe burns.

He was airlifted to an Edmonton hospital burn unit where he is now receiving treatment.

The Saskatoon apartment complex where Zakk Grant lives was evacuated when the building’s fire alarm system was activated. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

Long road to recovery ahead

Bob Grant said the family was shocked to learn the extent of his brother’s injuries.

“I thought because he was texting that it would not have been that bad,” he said.

“(He has) second- and third-degree burns on over 40 per cent of his body. (There’s) a big one on his back, his legs, hands and face.”

Grant’s mother and sister are by his side in Edmonton as he receives life-saving medical care.

“My mom doesn’t even get a lot of time with him,” said Bob. “It takes three hours to change his dressings.”

Grant underwent surgery on Monday and received skin grafts to his arms, hands, back, legs and feet.

His recovery will be long and arduous, and there is still uncertainty about the extent of his injuries.

“They’re still not 100 per cent that he didn’t suffer any kind of brain damage, because he has been so sedated that you can’t ask him questions or anything,” Bob said. “Once he starts healing up, they are going to see if he can follow basic instructions.”

Through all of the heartbreak, glimmers of hope about Grant’s condition have emerged.

“He recognized my sister the other day, which is good,” said Bob.

Grant is being hailed as a devoted music enthusiast by many local bands and venues as tributes and support for the 30-year-old pour in. (Victoria Ska and Reggae Festival/Facebook)

Grant’s family is incredibly touched by the outpouring of kindness and encouragement they have received.

A GoFundMe in support of Grant and his mom quickly surpassed the initial fundraising goal, and they have heard from people from across the globe wishing Grant well.

“It’s been overwhelming. Everybody has been so great. Zakk has so many friends — all over the world, apparently — that I didn’t even know about,” said Bob.