Preliminary Findings on Cause of Fire @ Kusu Island
On 17 April 2022 around 6.30pm, SCDF’s marine and land-based firefighting assets responded to a fire at Kusu island. The fire involved a cluster of shrines on a hilltop. It was extinguished by SCDF with two water jets within an hour upon SCDF’s arrival on the island.
SCDF is leading an investigation into the cause of the fire and the preliminary fire investigation does not indicate that the fire was deliberately set. SCDF will continue to work with the relevant agencies to determine the probable cause of the fire.
Background
At approximately 6.30pm yesterday on 17 April in the midst of a heavy downpour, SCDF’s marine and land-based firefighting forces responded to a fire at Kusu island, one of the offshore islands on the southern coast of Singapore.
SCDF despatched a Marine Rescue Vessel (MRV) and a Rapid Response Fire Vessel (RFV) from Brani Marine Fire Station and West Coast Marine Fire Station. An additional firefighting crew from Marina Bay Fire Station was also despatched and responded aboard the RFV.
Upon SCDF’s arrival at the island, the fire was raging at a cluster of shrines located on top of a hill.
Using the MRV as a water pump, the firefighters laid a vast number of hoses from the jetty to the top of the hill, covering a distance of about 520 meters. The fire was extinguished with two water jets within an hour of SCDF’s arrival on the island.
There were no reported injuries. Damping down* operations are ongoing. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
*Damping down refers to the application of water to burnt surfaces immediately after a fire is put out. It is to prevent any potential rekindling of fire from hot burnt surfaces.