Saskatoon bridge fire spread to hard-to-reach utility cavity

The Saskatoon Fire Department says a fire that started in an encampment under the University Bridge has spread to a hard-to-reach utility cavity.

The Saskatoon Fire Department says a fire that started in an encampment under the University Bridge has spread to a hard-to-reach utility cavity.

Fire crews have shut down all traffic to the bridge while they work with city engineers and utility workers to determine the extent of the fire and monitor the integrity of the bridge.

“This is a complete closure and there will be no access to the bridge during this time,” a city news release said.

Saskatoon fire crews were called out to an encampment fire under a city bridge around 12:41 a.m. Wednesday.

“The fire is in a location that is difficult to extinguish,” a fire department news release said Wednesday morning.

The city said the fire was under control but crews were still on scene looking for hot spots by 3:30 p.m.

Work crews drilled into the bridge deck for firefighters to apply water at specific locations to control temperatures and avoid risk to the bridge.