Two people were taken to hospital after a fire broke out inside a flat in Choa Chu Kang on Saturday night (29 Aug), prompting the evacuation of around 200 residents from the affected block.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it was alerted to the blaze at about 9.05pm. The fire involved the contents of a bedroom inside a second-floor unit at Block 287 Choa Chu Kang Avenue 2.
Footage circulating on TikTok showed thick black smoke emerging from the upper floor of an executive maisonette, while emergency vehicles could be seen arriving at the scene.
Fire Extinguished With One Water Jet
Several SCDF vehicles and firefighters were deployed to the block, while police officers were also present as residents gathered at the void deck.
SCDF subsequently extinguished the fire using one water jet. Two people from the affected unit had managed to evacuate themselves before emergency responders arrived.
As a precaution, around 200 residents from the block were evacuated while firefighters dealt with the blaze and assessed the situation.
The two occupants were later conveyed to Singapore General Hospital after suffering from smoke inhalation.
Two Hospitalised Residents Later Discharged
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, according to SCDF.
In a Facebook post on Sunday (30 Aug), Minister of State for Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim said he had been informed about the incident despite being overseas on a work trip.
He said he was relieved that there had been no serious injuries and confirmed that the two residents who were taken to hospital had already been discharged.
Neighbours Step In To Help Affected Residents
Zhulkarnain, who is also a Member of Parliament for Chua Chu Kang GRC, thanked Keat Hong grassroots volunteers for remaining at the scene late into the night to assist residents affected by the evacuation.
He also acknowledged the efforts of town council workers, who helped clean up the affected units and a preschool centre following the incident.
One neighbour also stepped forward to help care for pets from the affected flat while the residents dealt with the aftermath of the fire.
The incident has once again highlighted the importance of fire safety in residential buildings, particularly in densely populated HDB estates where a fire can quickly affect neighbouring households.
Residents are reminded to remain alert to potential fire hazards and to evacuate promptly when instructed by emergency responders. Anyone who encounters a fire should raise the alarm, leave the affected area safely and contact the emergency services.
The investigation into the cause of the Choa Chu Kang flat fire is ongoing.