SaskPower worker raises alert at P.A. fire

PRINCE ALBERT A SaskPower employee is credited with helping residents of a Prince Albert fourplex evacuate after a fire broke out in a basement unit Tuesday morning.

The worker, identified in a Facebook post only as Doug, had finished up work on a power box when he noticed smoke pouring out of the window of one of the units.

According to the fire department, SaskPower and witnesses on scene, he ran back into the building to alert the residents of other units so they could evacuate safely. He was treated on scene for minor smoke inhalation, but is expected to be OK.

Kim Bradfield was in the adjacent apartment when the fire began. He was forced to evacuate, along with his grandchildren.

According to Bradfield, the fire seemed to come from the kitchen.

The exterior of the 28th Street building showed few signs of what had gone on inside, aside from the black scorch marks on the west side of the house and the cracked front window.

Bradfield’s family was unharmed. While there was little damage to his adjacent unit, Bradfield said his grandchildren have asthma and would have to spend some time in a hotel. He said he wanted to stick around to guard his property, even if it meant sleeping in his car.

Prince Albert Fire Chief Jason Everitt said it was too early to know the cause of the fire, though it is not believed to be suspicious. He said it did not appear to be a case of a combustible power meter.

According to a SaskPower spokesperson, the technician had completed his work and was outside the building when he saw the smoke. It was then he called 911 and ran in to alert residents. Postmedia News