Parliament
MPs call for tougher stance on repeat fire safety offenders; Faishal Ibrahim defends escalatory approach
Members of Parliament have called for stricter measures against repeat fire safety offenders following the recent Kranji warehouse fire. However, Minister of State for Home Affairs Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim stated that the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) follows an escalatory enforcement approach, imposing higher penalties for repeated breaches.
SINGAPORE: Several Members of Parliament (MPs), including Hougang MP Dennis Tan and Non-Constituency MP Hazel Poa, have called for stricter measures against repeat fire safety offenders following the recent fire at a warehouse in Kranji.
However, Minister of State for Home Affairs Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim has emphasised that the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) enforces fire safety regulations through an escalatory enforcement approach.
During a parliamentary sitting on 6 March, Poa filed a question asking the Minister for Home Affairs about SCDF’s policy for handling offenders who have been repeatedly issued notices for severe breaches of fire safety regulations.
In response, Faishal Ibrahim explained that SCDF issues abatement notices and imposes composition fines for minor cases of non-compliance.
For repeated violations, fines are increased, and legal prosecution may follow if the offender fails to rectify the breach.
He provided an example of a minor non-compliance case, such as conducting minor partition works that alter the fire safety design of a space without obtaining SCDF approval.
In contrast, serious breaches—such as the erection of illegal structures that could obstruct fire escape routes—may lead to prosecution, particularly if violations are repeated.
Poa further questioned whether, in light of the Kranji warehouse fire, the ministry sees a need to take a tougher stance against repeat offenders.
SCDF’s enforcement escalates with repeated breaches, minister assures
Faishal Ibrahim reiterated that SCDF’s enforcement approach is progressive, with increasing penalties for repeated breaches.
He noted that in the case of the Kranji warehouse, SCDF had conducted 10 inspections, and all identified non-compliance issues had been rectified.
He assured that SCDF remains committed to enforcing fire safety regulations, as fires pose risks not only to property but also to lives.
Workers’ Party MP Dennis Tan then asked whether the Ministry would consider working with other agencies to impose business suspensions on persistent repeat offenders as a deterrent.
In response, Faishal Ibrahim confirmed that SCDF already collaborates with various agencies and takes a coordinated approach to enforcement.
While SCDF enforces fire safety regulations, other agencies have regulatory powers that can be applied when necessary. He stressed that fire safety remains a critical priority, and the authorities will not compromise on measures that protect lives while ensuring businesses operate safely.
Investigations underway into possible unlicensed storage of toxic or hazardous waste at Kranji Crescent warehouse
Earlier, in response to a separate parliamentary question from Poa, Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Dr Amy Khor revealed that since 2021, the National Environment Agency (NEA) had conducted six inspections of the warehouse at 11 Kranji Crescent, while SCDF carried out 10 inspections between 2018 and 2024.
Dr Khor stated that four fire hazard abatement notices—warnings requiring building owners to rectify fire safety non-compliance—had been issued to the facility.
Additionally, it received three notices of offence for various violations. However, she emphasised that “all these were actually rectified.”
She also noted that NEA regularly issued advisories to the facility, reminding it to remain vigilant about fire safety risks and to continuously review its fire safety measures to ensure their relevance and adequacy.
The warehouse, which caught fire on 19 February, burned for four days before being fully extinguished on 23 February.
Dr Khor stated that the facility, operated by recycling and waste management firm Wah & Hua, is licensed to receive industrial and commercial waste for sorting before recycling and disposal. It stored materials such as paper, plastics, glass, scrap metal, wood waste, and e-waste.
However, she clarified that the facility is not licensed to store toxic industrial waste or hazardous substances. Investigations by NEA and SCDF are ongoing to determine whether the facility complied with relevant licensing and fire safety regulations.
The fire was the fourth incident at the warehouse in seven years, with previous fires occurring in 2018, 2023, and 2024.
