Police Car Catches Fire On BKE, Two Officers Taken To Hospital For Smoke Inhalation
A Singapore Police Force (SPF) patrol vehicle caught fire along the Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE) in the early hours of Aug. 21, 2026, sending two traffic police officers to hospital after they were exposed to smoke.
The incident happened at around 12.10am as the officers were conducting patrols along the BKE towards Woodlands. The vehicle was at a slip road leading towards the Seletar Expressway (SLE) when the officers noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment.
According to the SPF, the officers immediately evacuated the vehicle after noticing the smoke. A member of the public also stopped to assist, with the two officers and the individual attempting to put out the fire.
Police Vehicle Engulfed In Flames
Images and footage shared online showed the police vehicle parked along the roadside while flames appeared to have engulfed much of the vehicle. The incident occurred in an area connecting the BKE to the SLE.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) subsequently attended the scene and extinguished the blaze. It is understood that emergency responders managed to bring the fire under control without further reported injuries.
Both police officers remained conscious but were taken to hospital after experiencing smoke inhalation. They were later discharged, according to information provided by the SPF.
The incident highlights the potential dangers faced by officers during routine road patrols, where vehicle-related emergencies can develop unexpectedly.
Cause Of Fire Under Investigation
The exact cause of the fire has not yet been established. The SPF said investigations into what caused the vehicle to catch fire are ongoing.
There were no reports in the information released of other members of the public being injured in the incident. The involvement of a passing motorist who attempted to help the officers also meant that assistance was available before emergency services arrived.
Vehicle fires can develop rapidly, particularly when smoke is detected from an engine compartment. Drivers are generally advised to move away from a burning vehicle and contact emergency services rather than putting themselves at unnecessary risk.
For the two officers involved, their prompt evacuation appears to have helped prevent more serious injuries. Both have since been discharged from hospital and the investigation into the cause of the blaze continues.