Singapore
Fire at Punggol HDB block prompts evacuation of 60 residents; one hospitalised
A fire broke out at Block 224A Sumang Lane in Punggol on 26 January, forcing the evacuation of 60 residents and hospitalising one individual. SCDF firefighters extinguished the fire, which originated in a bedroom, and issued safety advisories on preventing electrical fires.

A fire broke out at a Housing Board block in Punggol in the early hours of 26 January, prompting the evacuation of about 60 residents. One person was hospitalised for smoke inhalation.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) reported the incident via Facebook, stating that the fire occurred at Block 224A Sumang Lane around 5 am. Firefighters from Punggol, Sengkang, and Tampines fire stations were deployed to the scene. Upon arrival, black smoke was seen billowing from a seventh-floor unit.
The fire, confined to a bedroom, was extinguished using a water jet. Four individuals from the affected unit evacuated before SCDF arrived. As a precautionary measure, the police and SCDF evacuated 60 residents from nearby units.
A paramedic assessed one person for smoke inhalation, and they were transported to Singapore General Hospital. Preliminary investigations revealed that the fire likely originated from an electrical source in the bedroom.
SCDF highlighted the dangers of electrical fires, noting that such incidents are a common cause of residential fires. In 2023, Singapore recorded 1,954 fire incidents, an 8.6% increase from 2022’s 1,799 cases. Of these, 970 fires occurred in residential buildings, a 3.7% rise from the 935 cases reported in 2022.
Electrical faults were the leading cause of fires, accounting for 597 incidents. Unattended cooking was the second most common cause, with 456 cases. Despite the increase in fires, fire-related injuries dropped significantly from 171 in 2022 to 81 in 2023. Fire-related deaths also decreased from eight to three over the same period.
In an advisory issued on 26 January, SCDF emphasised the importance of electrical safety to prevent fires. The public was urged to avoid overloading power sockets and to switch off electrical appliances when not in use.
Additionally, SCDF cautioned against leaving batteries or devices charging for extended periods or overnight. Regular inspections of electrical wires were recommended, with immediate replacement or repair of frayed or cracked wires. Residents were also advised to avoid placing wires under carpets or mats and to keep them away from hot surfaces.

- Opinion2 weeks ago
Shanmugam’s call to avoid politicising Nee Soon’s kickback case exposes hypocrisy given his 2015 attack on WP
- Singapore2 days ago
Is Shanmugam building a palace at Ridout Road?
- Comments5 days ago
Netizens demand accountability from Chee Hong Tat over 3 MRT breakdowns in a week
- Singapore1 week ago
Former transport minister S. Iswaran placed on home detention scheme after serving part of jail term
- Singapore2 weeks ago
Healthcare worker’s death sparks public dispute between TTSH and Red Dot United’s Ravi Philemon
- Politics2 weeks ago
Foreign family members of candidates exempted from election participation rule in Singapore
- Court Cases1 week ago
Ong Beng Seng diagnosed with bone marrow cancer amid ongoing charges linked to ex-minister S Iswaran
- Parliament1 week ago
Indranee Rajah backtracks on claim divorcing applicants face no HDB rental hurdles