On a Sunday morning, a fire broke out in a unit at Block 508A Wellington Circle, Sembawang. At approximately 1.40am, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) received an alert about the fire.
Upon their arrival, they found black smoke emanating from a second-floor unit. Luckily, four individuals from the affected unit had already evacuated before the arrival of the SCDF.
Preliminary investigations conducted by the SCDF suggest that the fire originated from the battery of a power-assisted bicycle that was being charged in the bedroom.
Fires caused by the charging of batteries, particularly in close proximity to flammable materials, pose a significant risk. The ignition of the battery resulted in the subsequent blaze.
SCDF’s statement on Facebook
[Fire @ Block 508A, Wellington Circle]
Earlier this morning at about 1:40 a.m., SCDF was alerted to a fire at the abovementioned location.
Upon SCDF’s arrival, black smoke was emitting from a unit on the 2nd floor. Firefighters from Yishun Fire Station wearing breathing apparatus equipment entered the smoke-logged unit. The fire, which was confined to a bedroom, was extinguished with a water jet.
Four persons from the affected unit had evacuated prior to SCDF’s arrival. Two were conveyed by SCDF to Singapore General Hospital for smoke inhalation and burn injuries.
About 80 residents from the affected block were evacuated as a precautionary measure.
Preliminary investigation indicates that the fire had likely originated from the battery of a power-assisted bicycle (PAB) that was charging in the bedroom.
SCDF would like to remind the public on the prevention of PMD/PAB fires, including not to charge batteries for an extended period of time or overnight. Do not purchase or use non-original batteries. See the accompanying infographic for more fire safety tips.