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.

Comments

Italian Man Jailed and Caned After Luring Woman to Dubai for Sex Work

A 32-year-old Italian citizen who tricked a Singaporean woman into travelling overseas with false promises of marriage before forcing her into sex work in Dubai was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment, six strokes of the cane, and a fine of 9,000 dollars on Wednesday, October 7, 2026. Achraf Arjaouy was convicted of a human trafficking charge in April 2026 following a court trial. The court ordered that Achraf will serve an additional six weeks in prison if he fails to pay the court-ordered fine. The court heard that Achraf arrived in Singapore in March 2021 and matched with the victim, identified in court documents as V1, on a dating application in April 2021. During a rapid courtship, Achraf lied about his background, claiming to be a pilot for Qatar Airways and falsely asserting that he came from a wealthy Qatari family. He proposed to V1, stating that he intended to marry her in Qatar. Overjoyed by the prospect, V1 agreed to travel with him to Dubai as a stopover en route ...

Lorry, Van, and Car Caught in Same Day, ICA Stops Chewing Tobacco at the Border

On 5 August 2025, ICA officers at Woodlands Checkpoint stopped three separate smuggling attempts involving chewing tobacco within the same evening. At about 5:30pm, 565 packets were found hidden in the cabin compartment of a Malaysia-registered lorry after image analysis flagged anomalies. Around 6:00pm, 310 packets were discovered concealed in the rear passenger seats of a Malaysia-registered van. At 6:50pm, 450 packets were recovered from a Singapore-registered car, hidden in the spare tyre compartment and under the rear seats. In total, 1,325 packets were seized. The cases have been referred to the Health Sciences Authority. The import of chewing tobacco is prohibited in Singapore, and offenders face heavy penalties. ICA reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Singapore’s borders while facilitating legitimate trade and travel.

Viral Social Media Alert Details Alleged Shoplifting Incident at Kampong Gelam Shop

A viral social media post on October 7, 2026, alerted Singapore retail businesses to an alleged shoplifting incident involving a tourist couple at a boutique along Bussorah Street. The incident occurred on October 6, 2026, at 2:30 PM, when two customers entered the shop and purchased several items. However, CCTV footage showed two display perfume bottles were allegedly taken from the shelves. At checkout, the female customer tried to pay using US Dollars (USD). When staff refused foreign currency, she expressed frustration. The missing perfume was discovered only after the pair departed. The shop owner has lodged an official police report. Business owners are advised to remain vigilant, and anyone with relevant information is asked to contact the police.

LAKOPINEWS.COM

Search This Blog