One confirmed dead after early morning house explosion in 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.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.