A car caught fire along the Tampines Expressway (TPE) on Thursday evening (Jul. 30), causing significant traffic congestion and delays to several public bus services.
The incident occurred at around 7:40pm on the stretch of the TPE heading towards the Seletar Expressway (SLE), shortly after the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE) exit.
Videos and photos shared online showed the multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) completely engulfed in flames, with the blaze appearing to have started from the engine compartment beneath the bonnet.
According to the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), firefighters responded to the incident and extinguished the fire using a water jet and two hose reels. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Flames spread to vegetation beneath viaduct
The intensity of the fire was such that the flames reached vegetation hanging from the underside of a nearby viaduct, creating a dramatic scene for passing motorists.
Images circulating on social media showed thick smoke billowing into the sky as emergency responders worked to bring the blaze under control.
Police vehicles and an SCDF fire engine were also seen at the scene to manage traffic and ensure public safety while firefighters tackled the fire.
The vehicle was extensively damaged by the time the flames were extinguished.
Traffic backed up, bus services affected
The incident resulted in heavy congestion along the expressway during the evening rush hour.
Traffic slowed significantly on the TPE towards the SLE, with queues forming after the KPE exit as emergency services attended to the burning vehicle.
According to MyTransport, as many as 13 bus services experienced delays of up to 30 minutes due to the traffic disruption.
A post shared by the SGRV Front Man Facebook page alleged that the vehicle involved was a decorated private-hire car, although this has not been officially confirmed by the authorities.
The cause of the fire has not been disclosed, and investigations are expected to determine what led to the engine compartment catching fire. Motorists travelling through the area were advised to expect delays while the affected lane was cleared and traffic conditions gradually returned to normal.