Saskatoon firefighters continue long running battle with trains

Long, slow moving trains are an ongoing battle for Saskatoon firefighters.

They continue to block the way for crews trying to get to a fire. It happened again around 10 p.m. Tuesday night after a house on the corner of Avenue P and 20th Street went up in smoke.

Firefighters geared up, started their trucks and raced down 20th Street but were caught sitting and waiting at a rail crossing on Avenue K.

“Any time is train time and unfortunately any time is fire time as well,” Saskatoon Fire Department Battalion Chief Andy Kotelmach said. They resorted to calling for help from a second fire hall.

“It’s extremely frustrating, especially since the location of the fire was just at the edge of both fire halls district. So to begin with, it’s a little bit of a stretch to get there on time,” Kotelmach said.

GST Holiday

Federal government's two-month GST holiday begins

12h ago

Imminent need

Council set to discuss possible location for homeless shelter on 15th Street

17h ago

International Spotlight

P.A.'s Howe one of 4 Sask. born players named to Canada's World Junior roster

Dec 13, 2024

The second crew was able to get a handle on things. They kept the flames from reaching the house next door but the fire spread quickly and is considered suspicious.

“We had a good indication that it was a working house fire, and again, not knowing the situation at the time, if there were people involved, you can imagine it was quite frustrating,” Kotelmach added.

The simple solution is to relocate the train tracks outside the city, something that’s been on the minds of many for a long time now. That would take time and a lot of money so instead of a solution the problem will likely only get worse before it gets better.

“The trains are getting longer, and it is getting more frustrating,” Kotelmach said.

No one was hurt in the fire.

news@panow.com

On Twiter: @princealbertnow