A fire erupted at Block 194 Kim Keat Avenue earlier today, leading to the evacuation of approximately 60 residents and leaving one person hospitalised. The incident occurred at around 11:50am and was swiftly attended to by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).
Upon arrival, firefighters found that the blaze had broken out in one of the bedrooms of a unit located on the 12th floor. The affected flat was heavily smoke-logged, and fire crews had to enter the unit under challenging conditions. Using a water jet, they managed to extinguish the fire before it could spread further.
Residents Evacuated, One Taken to Hospital
Prior to SCDF’s arrival, three individuals had already evacuated from the affected unit. Due to the intensity of the smoke and for precautionary reasons, the police assisted in evacuating around 60 residents from the rest of the block.
Two occupants of the affected unit were assessed by SCDF paramedics for smoke inhalation. One of them, a child, was conveyed to KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital for further medical attention, while the other declined transport to the hospital.
The fire caused significant heat and smoke damage not just to the flat but also to the corridor area outside, underscoring the severity of the blaze. Preliminary investigations point to an electrical fault in the bedroom as the likely cause of the fire.
SCDF Issues Fire Safety Advisory
Following the incident, SCDF has issued a reminder to the public on essential electrical fire prevention tips:
- Avoid overloading power sockets with too many devices;
- Switch off appliances when not in use;
- Replace damaged or frayed wires immediately;
- Do not run wires under carpets or expose them to heat;
- Use only electrical appliances and plugs bearing the Safety Mark;
- Refrain from leaving batteries or devices to charge unattended for long hours, especially overnight.
The SCDF also highlighted that consumers can refer to Consumer Product Safety for the list of approved appliance categories bearing the Safety Mark.
Electrical fires continue to pose a real threat in residential homes, particularly when basic safety precautions are overlooked. This latest incident is a timely reminder for homeowners to conduct regular checks on electrical appliances and wiring, especially in older HDB units.
Authorities are continuing their investigations into the exact cause of the fire.