Late Friday night, the Saskatoon Fire Department responded to a report of smoke coming from the second floor of a three-story apartment building on Central Avenue.

The fire alarm system had been activated, alerting everyone to evacuate and when fire crews had arrived, occupants had safely evacuated on fire crews’ arrival, and none were harmed. They were given shelter on a city bus.

Firefighters found a suite on the second floor was fully engulfed in fire.   A portion of Central Avenue was closed for safety at the scene while three fire engines, one ladder truck and the Battalion Chief got the fire under control in 28 minutes.

Saturday at 1 a.m. the scene was turned over to a Fire Investigator who determined the cause of the fire was a lit candle that tipped over.  The damages are estimated to be roughly $100,000. All occupants of the building have been rehoused and the building will reopen once repairs are complete.

That is the second fire in as many days in Saskatoon’s Sutherland neighbourhood.  Thursday night, fire crews put out a fire in the 800 block of 1524 Rayner Avenue. That’s the Rayner Village mobile home community.

A 58-year-old woman and a 52-year-old man suffering the effects of smoke inhalation were treated and transported to hospital by Medavie Health Services West as a precautionary measure. The Fire Investigator determined the cause of the fire to be improper use of a portable electric heater.