Saskatoon Fire Department asks for patience as it investigates dire Hampton Village fire

The Saskatoon Fire Department says it's doing all it can to learn about the massive blaze that tore through half a block of homes.

The Saskatoon Fire Department is asking the community for patience as investigators work to determine the cause of a blaze that destroyed four homes, six garages and damaged many others in Hampton Village on Friday.

Deputy Chief Yvonne Raymer said there’s a possibility the cause of the fire will never be known.

“It’s still under investigation at this time,” Raymer said. “I will say we will be very factual and thorough before we give a cause and origin determination.”

“But at the end of the day, it may also be an undetermined, so that is a fact of fire investigations based on what is seen.”

• Download the CTV News app to get breaking news alerts sent to your device

On Friday, crews were called to a two-alarm, multiple-structure fire on Geary Crescent around 12:04 p.m.

Firefighters arrived and witnessed heavy black smoke, with at least one home fully involved. Strong winds, high temperatures and low humidity helped the fire spread quickly between properties.

The fire tore through the block, destroying homes and garages and damaging others. It also jumped across the road, briefly igniting another home. All residents were safely evacuated, and no injuries were reported.

Raymer says there were 20 properties damaged by the fire in some way, and that is one of many factors complicating the investigator’s workload.

“In the process of trying to get some rest himself, he’s got 20 orders to write to be able to assist those property owners with the insurance companies,” Raymer said.

“I’ve not tried to question our investigator too much, because I don’t want to end up leading our investigator or feeling pressured. This is one that we want to be very thorough, because we understand the devastating effects that occurred in this neighborhood.”

Raymer said all homes had insurance, and no one needed emergency rehousing following the fires. Because of structural damage and a worry for the fire reigniting, Raymer said an excavator was moved into the area to level the homes and prevent anything from going up in flames.

A site assessment has been done, and the investigator has been able to conduct a cause and origin scene exam, but Raymer said at this point, every possibility remains.

“It’s still under investigation, which means we haven’t ruled in or ruled out any one of the causes,” she said.

Raymer wouldn’t put a timeline on how long the investigation could take. She said in her time as a fire investigator there were instances where new information would come to the fire department a year or two after a blaze.

“We will do our best though to get you that cause as soon as practical,” she said.