A box left on a stovetop in downtown Moose Jaw resulted in an apartment suite engulfed in flames. 

The Moose Jaw Fire Department responded to a call on the afternoon of January 31 at 750 1st Ave NE. Upon arrival, the 9th-floor of the apartment was full of smoke. 

Mike Russell, Deputy Fire Chief, gave some insight into the fire. 

"We did clear floors 7 to 11 to make sure everyone was safe, these people were moved to the lobby and cleared to make sure there was no fire extension." Russell goes on to say three individuals were evacuated for the night. "The one suite where the fire originated was not occupiable, and then there were two other suites that were relocated." 

As for the weather, the Monday night blizzard had not set in yet. 

"It was -4 and felt like -14, so it was just starting to roll in. We are lucky people were able to wait in the lobby and not outside," says Russell. He added that the crew had a quick knock on the fire. "For being a 9th-floor apartment, our crews were quick and from the time we had a knock on the fire to our all-clear was only 7 minutes after the fact." He says crews were on scene for an hour and 45 minutes total.  

EMS reported that one person was treated for smoke inhalation, but no other injuries were reported. 

Approximately $100,000 in damage is being reported from contents and property, and the building is worth approximately $15 million.