Saskatoon police say fire at former 33rd Street nightclub now an arson investigation
Police say a fire that tore through a former nightclub on 33rd Street Tuesday morning is now an arson investigation.
The Saskatoon Fire Department called the blaze "a major building fire" and as of 6 a.m. CST, at least eight fire vehicles were on the scene battling the blaze. Heavy smoke covered the area.
It appears the fire started early Tuesday morning. The first 911 call was made at 5:20 a.m.
Wayne Rodger, assistant fire chief, said the first crews inside the building retreated and called for help.
"Part of that investigation determined that there was a lot more to this than first realized at the initial calls so subsequently there were three more fire apparatus that were sent out to assist," he said.
"Obviously there's a fair amount of concern when we have fire above us, there's always a potential for a collapse."
Alberta Avenue was shut down to traffic, as was 33rd Street between Idylwyld Drive and Alberta Avenue. The northbound lane of Idylwyld Drive and 33rd Street N. was restricted to one lane.
The public is requested to avoid the area completely.
The building was last known as The Matriarch Nightclub and Event Centre but had previously been known as Ryly's Nightclub.
There's no word yet on what might have caused the fire.
