The improper disposal of smoking materials is being blamed for a fire that destroyed a house on the 700 block of Eastlake Avenue. The Saskatoon Fire Department arrived on the scene shortly after noon on April 10, when a passer-by noticed a fire on the deck. Once crews arrived the fire had spread to the roof.

Firefighters entered the building and attempted to stop the fire in the attic, but it spread too quickly. The aerial unit was called in, and crews battled the blaze from the outside. The fire was brought under control at approximately 3:30pm.

One of the tenants first noticed the fire while in the bath, and unsuccessfully attempted to extinguish the fire. He and the other tenant who was home made it out of the house, and no injuries were reported. The other two tenants were not home at the time. Several pets were rescued from the home, but one cat is still missing.

It is estimated that the fire caused $200,000 in damage