A fire erupted at a condominium unit in Geylang on Sunday evening after an e-bike battery that was left unattended while charging caught fire.
The incident prompted an emergency response from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), with nearby residents evacuated as a precaution.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
The incident serves as another reminder of the dangers associated with improperly charging lithium-ion batteries inside homes.
Fire Started Inside Seventh-Floor Unit
SCDF said it was alerted to the incident at around 5.35pm on Jun. 21.
Preliminary investigations found that the blaze originated from an e-bike battery that was being charged in the living room of a seventh-floor unit at Casa Aerata condominium, located along Lorong 26 Geylang.
When firefighters arrived at the scene, they immediately began firefighting operations using a water hose and a compressed air foam backpack to bring the flames under control.
The fire was eventually extinguished before it could spread to other units.
Residents Evacuated As Safety Precaution
As a precautionary measure, police officers and SCDF personnel evacuated five residents living in neighbouring units.
Videos circulating online showed thick smoke and flames engulfing part of the affected unit.
In one social media post, Bishan–Toa Payoh GRC Member of Parliament Cai Yinzhou shared footage of the incident and explained that the area beneath the burning apartment had been cleared.
According to him, emergency personnel anticipated that one of the windows would shatter due to the intense heat generated by the fire.
The window eventually broke as expected, but the situation remained under control.
He later expressed relief that everyone involved was safe.
Growing Concerns Over E-Bike Battery Fires
The incident has once again highlighted the dangers of charging lithium-ion batteries without supervision.
Battery-related fires can escalate rapidly due to a phenomenon known as thermal runaway, where overheating causes a chain reaction that produces intense heat and toxic smoke.
Authorities have repeatedly advised residents not to leave batteries charging overnight or unattended for prolonged periods.
Residents are also encouraged to use only manufacturer-approved chargers and avoid using damaged or modified batteries.
As e-bikes and personal mobility devices become increasingly common in Singapore, fire safety experts continue to urge households to exercise caution when charging these devices indoors.
Even a seemingly routine charging session can quickly turn into a dangerous emergency if proper precautions are not taken.