Apartment fire caused by cigarette butt: Saskatoon Fire

A cigarette butt caused around $200,000 in damage to an apartment building in Saskatoon’s Confederation Suburban Centre neighbourhood early Tuesday morning, according to Saskatoon Fire.

Thankfully, no injuries were reported, but two units sustained fire damage and four people were relocated and rehoused by the property owner.

Everyone else living in the building can return to their suites.

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Crews were called to the apartment building in the 400 block of Fairmont Drive at around 3:31 a.m.

Multiple crews, including three fire engines, one rescue unit, one ladder truck and the Battalion Chief were all dispatched.

The first crew arrived on scene five minutes after multiple 911 calls were made about flames coming from the second floor of the three-storey complex.

An additional fire engine was requested as the fire was moving towards the roof and attic space.

Two apartment units were damaged in Tuesday’s early morning fire. (Saskatoon fire/submitted)

According to Saskatoon Fire, the fire was under control just under an hour after the initial call was made, and it was completely extinguished at 4:39 a.m.

The scene was turned over to the fire investigator at 6:22 a.m.

“(The) fire originated on a balcony and the cause of the fire was improper disposal of smoking material,” Saskatoon Fire said in a statement.

It reminds everyone to be careful when disposing of cigarette butts, like placing them a sealed jar with water inside.

“Ashtrays, plastic containers and metal cans are known to catch fire, melt or allow butts to be blown out and start combustible material on fire,” it said.