The Saskatoon fire department responded to the scene of a basement fire Friday afternoon.

At approximately 3:23 p.m. firefighters received multiple 911 calls reporting dark smoke exiting the basement area of a home in the 700 block of Weldon Avenue. Three fire engines, one rescue unit, one aerial ladder truck, one fire investigation unit and one battalion chief responded to the scene.

Firefighters arrived to find heavy black smoke and a significant amount of heat being produced from the basement of the structure. Fire crews immediately deployed hose lines and connected to nearby hydrants, and were able to soften the fire from the outside prior to entering the home to fully extinguish the fire.

There were no occupants, pets, or further extension of the fire located during multiple searches of the structure.

The Saskatoon Fire Department provided an investigation update on Friday evening:

After an in-depth cause and origin examination of the scene, a fire investigator has identified the fire that occurred in the 700 block of Weldon Avenue to be incendiary. Damage has been estimated at about $30,000.

In conduction of the scene examination, deficiencies with the smoke alarms throughout the residential structure were noted. The Fire Prevention & Investigation section is reminding members of the public of the importance in having operable smoke and carbon monoxide alarms; test these alarms monthly, changing the batteries annually or when the alarm begins to sound intermittently, and replace the entire alarm on or before the expiry date printed on the label.

The Saskatoon Fire Department has involved the Saskatoon Police Service on this incident.