One confirmed dead after early morning house explosion in Saskatoon

SASKATOON -

Police have confirmed a person is dead following a home explosion in Saskatoon early Saturday morning.

No details have been provided about the age or gender of the person.

Just before 4 a.m. Saturday morning, multiple 911 calls reported a house explosion in the 2200 block of Clarence Avenue South.

Upon arrival, firefighters found a house "levelled" from an explosion, Saskatoon Fire Department said in a media release.

The Saskatoon Fire Department found the body at 7:05 a.m. Fire Chef Morgan Hackl said the occupant of the home lived alone, but noted someone else could have been visiting them.

Large debris, vehicles and a detached garage were on fire, the department said.

Fire spread to a neighbouring house and crews had to act quickly to protect the home, the department said. The extent of the damages to that home have yet to be determined.

“Fire crews arriving did find the address, 2214, an explosion did occur. The address of that home was totally levelled,” Hackl said.

In total, 29 firefighters were on scene, with the final ones leaving at 8:15 am.

“To the south we had vehicles on fire, garage fire in the backyard, then also the structure to the north of this property was on fire,” Hackl added.

There were no reported injuries to firefighters.

In a news release, Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) said investigators are on scene, along with members of the Saskatchewan Coroner’s Office and the fire department. 

In a tweet, Morgan Hackl, the chief of the Saskatoon Fire Department, asked residents to stay away from the area as crews clean up and investigate.

He said “considerable damage” was caused to multiple homes due to fire spread and flying debris.

Prior to the explosion, two SPS patrol officers noticed a home on fire in the area, according to an SPS news release.

As the officers approached, an explosion could be heard, SPS said.

Some residents in the area have been evacuated, according to SPS. CTV News learned at least one person in the area will not be able to return to their home on Saturday.

Traffic restrictions are in place and police are asking the public to avoid the area.

“Due to the extensive scene it may be some time before further updates can be provided,” SPS said in the release.

Taylor Adolphe, a resident in the Aldelaide Avenue area, said the explosion was a “surreal experience.”

“Nothing like this really happens in this neighbourhood,” Adolphe said. ““When I was driving by and saw the police tape up and everything it was definitely a shock.”

Damage is estimated to be $600,000 for the properties involved, the fire department said in a news release Monday.

The cause of the explosion remains under investigation.

With files from CTV News Saskatoon's Tyler Barrow.