The Saskatoon Fire Department says the fire that occurred shortly after 1 p.m. on Friday afternoon was a duplex in the 1400 block of Avenue H North.  The blaze in Saskatoon’s Mayfair neighbourhood sent smoke billowing north towards Circle Drive.

Those inside evacuated safely thanks to the smoke alarms in the duplex and no one was hurt in the fire.

The Fire Investigator has determined a portable heater too close to combustible materials caused the fire.  The duplex had a break down of its furnace on December 23, and portable heaters had been used temporarily while the furnace was repaired.

Fire officials say the furnace was restored and functioning at the time of the fire; however, portable heaters were still being used.

The fire originated in a rear bedroom and the fire separation between the two units of the duplex held the fire back from destroying the south unit.

The duplex’s electrical mast sustained substantial fire damage and power is not able to be restored at this time.

The duplex can’t be occupied right now because of fire damage and because the utilities can’t be turned on at this time.  Fire damage is estimated at $250,000.

The Ministry of Social Services has rehoused 3 occupants of this structure.  Other occupants had friends with whom they were safely rehoused.