A routine morning commute was disrupted after a power bank reportedly caught fire at Woodlands MRT station, leaving one commuter with minor injuries and causing train services to temporarily bypass the station.
The incident happened at around 9am on 20 July at the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) platform. Photos circulating on social media showed thick white smoke filling part of the station platform, prompting concern among commuters who had just stepped off a train.
One of the images showed a pink handbag placed on the ground with smoke appearing to billow from it. Nearby passengers could be seen looking on in surprise, while others covered their noses as the smoke spread across the platform.
Fire Extinguished Before Emergency Services Arrived
According to the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), it received a report of a fire at Woodlands MRT station, located at 11 Woodlands Square, at about 9am.
The fire involved a power bank and was successfully put out by members of the public using a dry powder fire extinguisher before firefighters arrived. SCDF confirmed that the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Although the blaze was quickly contained, the commuter carrying the power bank sustained minor blisters on her fingers. No other passengers or staff members were injured during the incident.
SMRT Staff Responded Quickly
SMRT Trains President Lam Sheau Kai said the affected commuter was waiting for her train when the power bank inside her bag suddenly began emitting smoke.
Another commuter noticed the smoke and immediately alerted station staff, who responded promptly to extinguish the fire and assist the woman. As a precaution, Woodlands MRT station’s exhaust ventilation system was activated to clear the smoke from the platform.
To ensure commuter safety while the incident was being managed, trains on the Thomson-East Coast Line skipped Woodlands MRT station for approximately 20 minutes. Passengers were informed of the temporary disruption through announcements made both onboard trains and at stations.
Third Power Bank Fire Reported This Year
Following the incident, SMRT reminded members of the public to use only power banks equipped with recognised safety features, as poor-quality or damaged lithium-ion batteries can overheat and pose a fire risk.
This marks the third reported power bank-related fire on Singapore’s MRT network in 2026. Earlier incidents occurred on trains near Tanjong Rhu MRT station and Admiralty MRT station.
Similar cases were also recorded in 2025, with power banks catching fire at Raffles Place MRT station and Tanjong Pagar MRT station, highlighting ongoing concerns over the safe use and storage of portable charging devices.
While such incidents remain relatively uncommon, they serve as a reminder for commuters to regularly inspect their power banks for signs of swelling, overheating or physical damage, and to replace ageing or faulty units before they become a safety hazard.