SMRT Bus Bursts Into Flames Outside Woodgrove Primary School In Woodlands
An SMRT bus operating along Woodlands Avenue 1 caught fire outside Woodgrove Primary School on Tuesday afternoon, causing alarm among nearby residents, students and motorists.
The incident happened at around 1:30pm on May 5, with dramatic videos circulating online showing the public bus engulfed in flames as thick black smoke billowed into the sky. Several eyewitness clips shared on Telegram and local forums quickly went viral across Singapore social media platforms.
According to the Singapore Civil Defence Force, firefighters were dispatched shortly after receiving reports of the blaze. SCDF officers managed to extinguish the fire using a water jet and hosereel system. At least two fire engines were seen responding to the emergency scene.
Smoke First Detected From Driver’s Compartment
In a statement issued after the incident, SMRT Corporation confirmed that the affected vehicle was operating Service 967 at the time of the fire.
The company explained that the bus captain had stopped at a bus stop along Woodlands Avenue 1 to allow passengers to board and alight when smoke was suddenly detected coming from the driver’s compartment.
The driver reacted quickly by evacuating all passengers from the vehicle and directing them to move to a safe distance away from the bus before contacting the Bus Operations Control Centre, which subsequently activated emergency services.
SMRT added that the bus captain also attempted to contain the flames from a safe distance while waiting for firefighters to arrive.
No injuries were reported from the incident, and all passengers were safely evacuated before the fire intensified.
Investigation Underway Into Cause Of Fire
SMRT said investigations are ongoing to determine what caused the bus fire. The transport operator also stated that it is providing support for the well-being of the affected bus captain following the frightening incident.
Bus fires remain relatively uncommon in Singapore due to the country’s strict vehicle maintenance and transport safety regulations. However, such incidents often attract significant public attention because of concerns surrounding commuter safety and public transport reliability.
The incident also caused temporary traffic disruption along the Woodlands area as emergency responders worked to secure the scene and extinguish the blaze.
Photos and videos of the burning bus continued circulating online throughout the afternoon, with many Singaporeans praising the driver for acting swiftly to ensure passenger safety before the situation escalated further.
The fire occurred near a primary school during daylight hours, drawing attention from nearby pedestrians and motorists who witnessed the smoke from a distance.