Skip to main content

Warehouse Collapse in Toa Payoh, SCDF Rescues 3, Including Kids




A mezzanine floor and storage racks collapsed inside a warehouse unit at Toa Payoh Industrial Park on Tuesday, Jan 28, trapping four people under piles of rugs. Among them were two children.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) was alerted to the incident at approximately 5:50 PM. Firefighters from Bishan Fire Station, along with specialist rescuers from the SCDF’s Special Response Unit and Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team, were deployed to the scene.

Dramatic Rescue Mission by SCDF

Upon arrival, SCDF personnel were informed that one of the four trapped individuals had managed to free himself and call for help. He informed rescuers that three others remained trapped beneath the collapsed storage racks and rugs.

Given the scale of the collapse—covering an area of about 20 meters by 10 meters—SCDF deployed search dogs to locate the missing victims. Firefighters and rescuers meticulously worked their way through piles of heavy rugs, cutting through storage racks to reach the trapped individuals.

The operation, which lasted around 90 minutes, successfully freed all three remaining victims, including the two children.

All Victims Conscious, Taken to Hospitals

Once rescued, the four victims were assessed and transported to hospitals for further treatment. The two adults were taken to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, while the two children were sent to KK Women's and Children's Hospital. Fortunately, all four were conscious throughout the ordeal.

Authorities Investigate Cause of Collapse

The cause of the mezzanine floor and storage rack collapse remains unknown at this stage. Authorities are expected to conduct a thorough investigation into the warehouse’s structural integrity and safety compliance.

Safety Concerns in Industrial Facilities

This incident highlights potential safety risks in industrial and storage facilities. Warehouses that utilize mezzanine structures and heavy storage racks must ensure they are built to withstand significant weight and stress. Overloading and improper maintenance can lead to catastrophic failures, posing severe risks to workers and visitors.

SCDF’s Swift Response Prevents Tragedy

The SCDF's quick and well-coordinated response played a crucial role in preventing further harm. Their use of search dogs, specialized cutting equipment, and trained rescue personnel ensured that the trapped victims were freed efficiently.

Their heroic efforts once again underscore the importance of emergency preparedness and the capabilities of Singapore’s first responders in handling complex rescue operations.

Conclusion

The Toa Payoh warehouse collapse incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by structural failures in industrial areas. While all victims were fortunate to survive, it raises critical questions about safety regulations and preventive measures.

Authorities will now look into the cause of the collapse to prevent similar accidents in the future, ensuring the safety of workers and visitors in such environments.

Labels:
Location: Singapore

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Voyeurism Charge Lands Former Sengkang General Hospital Doctor in Jail

  A doctor, Jonathan Soh Jingyao, aged 34, who previously worked at Sengkang General Hospital, has been sentenced to eight weeks in jail for a voyeurism charge despite his defence counsel arguing for a Mandatory Treatment Order (MTO). The sentencing took place on December 15. The voyeurism offense involved Soh using his phone to secretly film a woman showering in an apartment. While the relationship between Soh and the victim was redacted in court documents, a gag order protects her identity. The incident occurred on April 14, 2024. The victim was in the common toilet of the apartment when Soh held his phone up to the window connecting the kitchen and the toilet to film her. The victim noticed the phone near the window and immediately shouted, prompting Soh to quickly leave the kitchen. He later deleted the video from his phone and offered an apology to the woman, but her boyfriend subsequently made a police report on the same day. Soh, through his defence counsel Jeeva Joethy from...
Post a Comment
Read more

55-Year-Old Suspect Charged for Bukit Timah Restaurant Break-In

  On December 16, 2025, Singaporean Tang Hian Leng, 55, was charged with housebreaking and theft following an incident at the Korean fried chicken restaurant Oven & Fried Chicken, located at 16 Chun Tin Road in Bukit Timah. The alleged offence occurred on December 14, 2025, at approximately 1.14am, when  Tang is accused of breaking into and climbing through a toilet window to gain entry. He reportedly stole $155 from the establishment.   The police were notified at 11.42am that day. Through swift follow-up investigations, and by utilizing images from police cameras and CCTV, officers from the Clementi Police Division and the Police Operations Command Centre established Mr. Tang's identity. He was subsequently arrested within seven hours of the report being made. The offence of housebreaking and theft carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years imprisonment and a fine.
Post a Comment
Read more

77-Year-Old Man Charged for Cutting Bird Trap, Allowing Three Crows to Escape

  A 77-year-old Singaporean man, Tan See Chee, was charged on Tuesday, December 16, for disrupting a National Parks Board (NParks) operation after he allegedly cut the cable ties of a crow trap, allowing three birds to escape. The incident occurred near Block 181, Lorong 4 Toa Payoh, on October 20 at about 5:50 PM. Tan is accused of mischief causing disruption to the performance of a public agency's function. Police identified him two days later using CCTV footage. The police issued a statement warning that they take a "serious view" of such acts of mischief against apparatus serving public functions. Tan informed the court he intends to plead guilty and will not engage a lawyer. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in jail, a fine, or both. His plea date is set for January.
Post a Comment
Read more