A massive fire broke out at an industrial building in Tuas, Singapore, causing extensive damage to chemical materials and disrupting the surrounding area. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) swiftly responded to the blaze, mobilizing a significant firefighting operation to bring the flames under control.
$10 million worth of chemicals lost
The fire resulted in extensive damage to chemical materials stored within the industrial building. Megachem estimated that approximately $10 million worth of chemicals were lost in the blaze.
The volatile nature of the stored substances posed additional challenges for the firefighters, requiring specialized tactics and equipment to combat the fire effectively.
Fortunately, there were no workers present at the site when the fire broke out. Megachem’s group managing director, Sidney Chew, confirmed that all employees were safe. The SCDF swiftly advised the public to avoid the immediate vicinity of the fire for their safety and to facilitate firefighting operations.
The fire has dealt a severe blow to Megachem, with the estimated loss of $10 million worth of chemicals. Furthermore, the company’s long-standing building, in use since 1994, will require complete reconstruction due to structural damage caused by the fire.
While the loss is significant, Megachem expressed relief that the building was insured, which will assist in the recovery process.
Investigation and Cause of the Fire
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. The initial report was made by a security guard on duty, prompting authorities to delve deeper into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Due to the severity of the fire, train services between Tuas Link and Tuas West Road stations on the East-West MRT line were temporarily suspended for nearly two hours.
The disruptions were necessary to ensure the safety of commuters and to facilitate the firefighting efforts. Train services resumed at around 7:20 a.m., allowing normal operations to resume.