A tragic fire in a high-rise public housing unit in Choa Chu Kang has claimed the life of a 33-year-old man, while another resident was taken to hospital in the early hours of the morning.
The blaze broke out inside a bedroom of a 14th-floor unit at Block 763 along Choa Chu Kang North 5. Emergency services were alerted at around 3am, prompting a swift response from the Singapore Civil Defence Force.
Firefighters deployed multiple water jets to contain and extinguish the flames, which were confined to a single room within the flat. Despite their efforts, one individual was discovered unresponsive inside the unit during firefighting operations.
He was subsequently pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. Authorities later confirmed that the deceased was a 33-year-old man.
Woman Taken to Singapore General Hospital After Smoke Inhalation
Another occupant of the same unit, a 61-year-old woman, had managed to evacuate before emergency crews arrived. She was assessed at the scene for smoke inhalation and later conveyed conscious to Singapore General Hospital for further treatment.
In addition, two other individuals from the block were also checked for possible smoke inhalation but declined to be sent to hospital. Their conditions were not reported to be serious.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force confirmed that the fire was contained within the bedroom, preventing it from spreading to other parts of the unit or neighbouring flats.
Around 70 Residents Evacuated as Precaution
As a safety measure, approximately 70 residents from the block were evacuated during the incident. Police and emergency responders coordinated efforts to ensure residents were safely moved away from potential danger zones while firefighting operations were underway.
The evacuation reflects standard emergency protocols in high-density residential areas, particularly in public housing estates where fire risks can escalate quickly due to close proximity between units.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire, which remains unknown at this stage. Further updates are expected as officials examine the scene and gather more information.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of fire safety awareness in Singapore homes, especially in HDB flats where early detection and quick evacuation can make a critical difference.