An explosion early Saturday morning, in the 2200 Block of Clarence Avenue, has killed one resident and caused damage to at least three properties.  The Saskatoon Police Service, along with the Saskatoon Fire Department are working to determine what caused the explosion.

Fire Chief Morgan Hackl says first arriving crews found one home totally leveled, and fire had spread to vehicles, a garage and another neighbouring home.  Hackl says the gable ends of the home and parts of the roof ended up on each neighbouring roof to the north and the south, and there was a lot of force behind the explosion.

“The force of that would be felt in many homes spread across that block.  The front wall of the home were blown out onto the grass, the entire front window jam was actually blown out of it’s structure and is on the street.”

Hackl says there is a probability that the fire was accelerated in some way and that it’s also probable natural gas was involved.  He explains SaskEnergy and investigators continue to look into the cause of the explosion.  Most residents in the area that were evacuated have been allowed back to their homes, except one neighbouring house to the north that had fire damage.

At this point, police say, no further information as far as age and gender is available.  Investigators from the Saskatoon Police Service Major Crime Section and the Forensic Identification Section are on scene along with personnel from Saskatoon Fire Department and the Saskatchewan Coroner’s Office. Investigators will be working in an effort to determine cause and circumstances related to the explosion. Due to the extensive scene it may be some time before further updates can be provided.

More information will be released by the SPS Major Crime Section as it becomes available.

The Saskatoon Police Service and Saskatoon Fire Department are currently on the scene of a house fire in the 2200 block of Clarence Avenue.

Saturday morning, at 3:58 a.m., two patrol officers noticed a house on fire in the area. As the officers approached the house, an explosion could be heard which then started fires at two adjacent properties.  The Saskatoon Fire Department reports fire spread to one of the neighbouring house’s exterior so crews had to act quickly to protect the structure. The extent of damages to neighboring homes is undetermined at this time.  Residents in the area have been evacuated from their homes until the fire is under control.