A fire believed to have been caused by a power bank broke out at a bicycle parking area in Bukit Merah, resulting in three bicycles being damaged.
According to Shin Min Daily News, The incident occurred on the evening of July 6 at Block 140 Jalan Bukit Merah. According to eyewitnesses, a suitcase that had been secured to a bicycle was engulfed in flames after a power bank stored inside allegedly overheated and exploded.
Residents in the vicinity reported hearing several loud blasts before spotting flames spreading through the bicycle parking area.
Witnesses said they heard up to four explosion-like sounds coming from the scene. Thick smoke was seen rising into the air as the fire quickly intensified, attracting the attention of nearby residents and workers.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
## Fire Spread To Nearby Items
The blaze is believed to have started inside the suitcase before spreading to nearby bicycles parked in the area.
Photos from the scene showed charred bicycle frames and burnt debris scattered across the parking area after the fire was extinguished.
A large section of protective canvas material used at a nearby construction site was also reportedly damaged by the flames.
Despite the damage, a site supervisor said the construction project was not affected and work was able to continue as scheduled.
## SCDF Responded To Incident
The Singapore Civil Defence Force responded to the fire and successfully brought the situation under control.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze before it could spread further to surrounding property.
Preliminary information suggests that a power bank stored inside the suitcase may have been involved, although authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause.
Lithium-ion batteries found in power banks can pose a fire risk if they are damaged, defective or exposed to excessive heat. Such incidents, while uncommon, can lead to overheating, smoke and, in severe cases, explosions.
Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.
The incident has sparked renewed concerns among residents about the safe storage and handling of power banks and other battery-powered devices, especially in shared residential spaces.
Screencap via Shin Min Daily News 新明日报