A string of fires started in Saskatoon’s northend close to the end of the work day Friday.
Shortly after 4 p.m. Friday, the Saskatoon Fire Department received a report of a fire along the train tracks north of 71st Street East near Wanuskewin Road. The first crews arriving found a blaze close to New Holland and Sarcan. At least half a dozen fires were seen along the tracks with one of the fires starting shortly after 5 o’clock to the north of New Holland.
In a Friday night update, the Saskatoon Fire Department said they are able to maintain their service level for the remainder of the city with off duty fire personnel and reserve apparatus being utilized. Two off-duty Battalion Chiefs also assisted the SFD Incident Commander in the the command unit.
In addition to the SFD, fire crews from Martensville and Warman are also on scene along with Saskatoon Police, Corman Park Police and CN crews.
No cause or damage estimate has been given at this time. A train is suspected to have sparked the fires which then turned into multiple grass fires along the tracks.
(With files from CJWW)