Fire Forces 50 Residents to Evacuate on Christmas Eve in Tampines

Credit: SCDF Facebook

On Christmas Eve, about 50 residents were evacuated from Block 921 Tampines Street 91 after a fire broke out in a Housing Board flat.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) stated that the fire likely started from a power-assisted bicycle (PAB) battery that was charging in the unit's bedroom. The incident occurred around 9:40 PM, with firefighters from Tampines Fire Station and Changi Fire Station responding promptly.

Upon arrival, responders encountered thick black smoke emanating from the first-floor unit. The fire was confined to the bedroom and was successfully extinguished using a water jet. Fortunately, no one was home at the time, and no injuries were reported.

As a precaution, SCDF and the police evacuated around 50 residents from the block. Ambulance assistance was not required.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with charging batteries for mobility devices. The SCDF advised the public to refrain from leaving batteries or devices charging for extended periods or unattended. It also warned against purchasing or using non-original batteries for such devices.

Trends in Active Mobility Device Fires

The fire in Tampines is the latest in a worrying trend of incidents linked to active mobility devices (AMD). Earlier this year, on August 23, more than 100 residents in Yishun were evacuated following two separate fires caused by mobility device batteries.

According to SCDF’s annual statistics report released on February 21, 2023, the number of fires involving AMDs, including PABs, rose by 31% to 55 cases in 2023, up from 42 in 2022. This increase reverses a previous downward trend in AMD fires from 2019 to 2022.

The rise in these incidents underscores the importance of proper safety precautions when handling and charging AMD batteries.

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