The City of Saskatoon says the Hampton Village fires remain under investigation after four homes; six garages were destroyed in the 400 block of Geary Crescent last Friday.

In total the blaze caused damage to 20 properties in the neighbourhood.

In a news release the Deputy Chief Yvonne Raymer says everyone understands the devastating effect of the fires, but that an investigation of this nature takes time.

Raymer said, “In order to respect our fire investigation process, we will be very factual and thorough before we give a cause and origin.”  She added that it is possible the fire cause could be ruled undetermined.

Within six minutes of getting the call just after noon on May 29th, fire crews arrived to find heavy black smoke and at least one home fully on fire. A second alarm was immediately called. Thirty-two firefighters responded to the scene.  While all occupants evacuated safely, one family lost their dog in the blaze.

For safety’s sake an excavator was brought in down to knock down remaining structures.

Raymer also cautions against speculation around building materials and neighborhood density.

“All those structures met the minimum requirements of the National Building Code of Canada. All structures in the City of Saskatoon go through a permit process and have a building inspection.”

She also said that despite the significant effort on the part of firefighters, winds over 30 kilometres per hour, temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius and relative humidity of 30 per cent all contributed to optimal conditions – for the fire.

“When we look at wind conditions and the extent of where the fire was — it was burning so hot — it was being pushed and was wind-driven.”

There are still interviews to conduct and paperwork to submit to homeowners for insurance companies so there is no word on when the investigation will be complete.