Chief Troy Cooper said two patrol officers arrived shortly after Police called 911 and all five officers took action when they could no longer communicate with the man trapped inside the basement.

“They kicked the windows, the windows were covered with a screen or bars,” said Cooper who added the rescue continued amid heavy smoke.

“They managed to get the windows open and regain contact with the person that was in the basement and after some time they talked him to sort of a door on the side that has access to the basement and were able to pull him to safety,” said Cooper.

Police were first on the scene as Saskatoon’s Fire Department said they were delayed at a railway crossing. When the fire trucks from Station Number 1 were held up at the CP Rail Crossing at 20th Street and Avenue K south, more trucks were dispatched from Station 2 on Diefenbaker Drive.

All crews were on scene by 9:25 a.m. Firefighters say the man inside the burning home was in the yard when they arrived. The occupant of the home as well as five police officers were all taken to hospital.

Cooper said all five officers breathed in smoke while trying to rescue the resident and needed hospital treatment.

“We expect them to recover fully,” said Cooper who pointed out they were suffering from various degrees of smoke inhalation.

“Some of them of course are suffering worse than others, but we’re certainly grateful that it’s not worse than it was and we’re very proud of our officers today for saving the life of a Saskatoon resident,” said Cooper.