A fire broke out at a HDB flat at Block 308 Hougang Avenue 5 that saw 10 residents evacuated, with one person being sent to the hospital.
The person who was sent to the hospital was a passer-by who had helped to evacuate the other residents, before being assessed for smoke inhalation by paramedics and conveyed to the Singapore General Hospital, according to the Straits Times.
Singapore Civil Defence Force’s statement
[Fire @ Block 308 Hougang Ave 5]
Earlier this evening at about 7:30p.m., SCDF was alerted to a fire at the abovementioned location.
Upon SCDF’s arrival, the fire was raging in a bedroom of a 13th-floor unit. Equipped with breathing apparatus, firefighters from Sengkang Fire Station entered the smoke-logged unit and extinguished the fire with a water jet. As a result of the fire, the rest of the unit also sustained heat and soot damage.
An occupant from the affected unit had evacuated prior to SCDF’s arrival.
As a precautionary measure, about 10 residents from neighbouring units were evacuated by the police.
An SCDF paramedic assessed a person from the affected unit for smoke inhalation but the person declined to be conveyed to the hospital.
A passerby, who had assisted in the evacuation of residents from the neighbouring units, was also assessed for smoke inhalation and conveyed to Singapore General Hospital.
Preliminary investigation indicates that the fire is likely to be caused by an electrical origin from the affected bedroom.
SCDF would like to remind the public on good practices to adopt to prevent electrical fires from occurring:
a) Do not overload electrical outlets with electrical appliances;
b) Always switch off appliances when they are not in use;
c) Check the appliance for frayed wires or cracked cords. If observed the appliance should be repaired or replaced. Do not use faulty appliances;
d) Do not run wires under carpets or mats and keep wires away from hot surfaces;
e) Use appliances and electrical plugs bearing the Safety Mark. The categories of appliances can be found at http://www.consumerproductsafety.gov.sg;
f) Do not leave batteries or devices to charge unattended for an extended period of time or overnight.