A late-night fire at a Housing Board flat along Clementi Avenue 4 has claimed the life of one resident and left two Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) firefighters injured while battling the blaze.
The incident occurred shortly after 11pm on Friday (Jul. 31) at Block 309 Clementi Avenue 4, prompting a large emergency response. Around 40 residents were temporarily evacuated from the block as firefighters worked to bring the flames under control.
According to the SCDF, emergency crews arrived to find the living room of a unit on the eighth floor engulfed in flames. Firefighters forced entry into the flat before extinguishing the fire using a single water jet.
Resident Found Unconscious Inside Flat
During firefighting operations, responders discovered an unconscious person in the kitchen of the affected unit. The individual was rescued and rushed to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital.
Despite efforts to save the resident, the person later died in hospital. Member of Parliament Sim Ann, who visited the scene overnight, confirmed the death in a social media update.
She added that preliminary information suggested the deceased had been living alone. Community volunteers and grassroots leaders have since been working to locate and contact the next of kin, with neighbours providing information that may assist the search.
Two Firefighters Sustain Burn Injuries
The operation also resulted in injuries to two SCDF firefighters, who suffered burns while putting out the blaze. Both were taken to Singapore General Hospital for treatment.
By Saturday (Aug. 1), SCDF confirmed that one firefighter had been discharged and was recovering at home, while the condition of the second firefighter was not immediately disclosed.
The evacuation, carried out jointly by the SCDF and Singapore Police Force as a safety precaution, saw approximately 40 residents leave the building while emergency crews secured the area.
Most Residents Returned Home Overnight
Following assessments after the fire was extinguished, most evacuated residents were able to return to their homes by around 1:30am on Saturday.
Sim Ann later shared that volunteers and representatives from the town council visited affected households to determine whether assistance was required for homes or belongings damaged by the incident.
Although the fire was intense, damage to neighbouring units and common areas appeared to be limited. Most residents were expected to remain in their homes after carrying out cleanup work.
The MP also expressed appreciation to the SCDF and Singapore Police Force personnel who responded to the emergency, paying tribute to the firefighters injured during the operation and wishing them a speedy recovery.
The cause of the fire has not been announced, and investigations are ongoing.