One dead after Saskatoon home levelled in early morning explosion

One person was killed after a home on the 2200 block of Clarence Avenue South was levelled by an explosion on Saturday morning.

As police officers approached the house that was on fire, an explosion could be heard.

Multiple 911 calls came in just before 4 a.m.

When firefighters arrived the home was destroyed with debris, vehicles and a garage on fire.

“Vehicles to the south, a garage fire, a house to the north of this property, right next door, were all fully involved in fire,” Saskatoon Fire Chief Morgan Hackl told reporters

Saskatoon police evacuated nearby homes until the area was considered safe.

Hackl said an investigator discovered a body in the rubble of the basement around 7:11 a.m.

The body has not been identified.

“Because of the explosion we always think about natural gas but at this time the fire is still under investigation and that has not been determined,” Hackl explained.

He said it appeared the fire was accelerated in someway.