The Singapore Police Force were activated following complaints over an aircon compressor dangling precariously on the 10th floor of a Chai Chee HDB unit.
Several members of the public were concerned and alerted the police to the danger at Block 55 Chai Chee, with the police arriving on site at about 1pm on Wednesday (20 July).
The area below the unit in question was then cordoned off.
However, the owners of the unit were not home and the police conducted forced entry to enter the home, according to Shin Min Daily News.
A resident who lives nearby, Sapia, told SMDN that the homeowners were an elderly couple who are rarely home.
He added that the police got a locksmith to open the door after finding out that the owners were not home, and a police officer was seen standing outside the gate with a trolly containing a bag of tools.
Another resident who owns a provision shop nearby, told SMDN that the police told him not to use his shop’s back door, and that the police had set up barricades surrounding the area.
Police allowed to conduct forced entry
The police are legally allowed to conduct forced entry to any place in the event of medical emergencies to prevent injury of death to others, under several amendments to the Police Force Act.
Potential penalties
Homeowners face a fine of up to $5,000 and/or a jail term of up to 6 months for improper installation of their aircfon, under the Buiolding Control Act.
They also face a fine of up to $10,000 and/or a jail term of up to 1 year if the aircon falls due to lack of maintenance, under the Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act.