SINGAPORE — Thick black smoke poured from an eighth-floor HDB flat in Pasir Ris early Sunday morning, sending two people to hospital and forcing about 20 residents to evacuate as firefighters battled the blaze.
The fire broke out at around 7.30am on Sept. 13 at Block 722 Pasir Ris Street 72, according to the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).
The blaze involved a bedroom inside one of the flats.
SCDF said three people from the affected unit managed to self-evacuate before firefighters arrived. About 20 other residents were also evacuated from the block as a precaution.
Two people were subsequently taken to Singapore General Hospital for smoke inhalation.
Thick smoke seen pouring from HDB block
Videos shared online showed a large plume of dark smoke rising from the residential block as emergency responders rushed to the scene.
One video posted on TikTok on Sept. 13 showed smoke billowing from the building while emergency sirens could be heard nearby.
Other footage showed several emergency vehicles and residents gathering at the foot of the block as firefighters worked to contain the blaze.
The dramatic scenes quickly drew attention online, particularly because the smoke could be seen from surrounding areas.
Despite the intensity of the fire, SCDF said firefighters were able to extinguish it using one water jet.
Fire likely started from electrical source
Preliminary findings suggest the fire was likely of electrical origin, SCDF said.
Authorities have not indicated that the blaze was deliberately started, and investigations into the exact circumstances remain ongoing.
The suspected electrical origin has also prompted SCDF to reiterate basic electrical-fire safety precautions.
Residents are advised not to overload electrical outlets and to use electrical appliances and plugs bearing the Safety Mark.
SCDF also advises households to regularly inspect electrical wiring and replace frayed wires or damaged cords.
Electrical cables should not be placed underneath carpets or near hot surfaces.
People should also avoid leaving batteries or electronic devices charging unattended for long periods or overnight.
Two taken to hospital for smoke inhalation
The two people taken to hospital were treated for smoke inhalation, rather than reported burns from the fire.
The other three people in the affected flat managed to get out on their own before SCDF arrived.
The evacuation of around 20 additional residents was carried out as a precaution while emergency crews dealt with the fire.
Singapore’s fire authorities have repeatedly stressed the importance of getting out quickly when a residential fire occurs, particularly because smoke can spread rapidly through an enclosed environment.
A reminder about electrical fire risks at home
The Pasir Ris incident comes as Singapore authorities continue to remind residents about household fire risks.
Electrical faults can become particularly dangerous when appliances, batteries, extension cords or power sockets are overloaded or damaged.
SCDF’s advice is straightforward: do not overload sockets, do not ignore damaged cables and do not leave devices charging unattended for extended periods.
Residents should also ensure that escape routes remain clear and that everyone in the household knows what to do if a fire breaks out.
For those living in high-rise HDB blocks, the incident is another reminder that a fire in a single unit can quickly become a concern for an entire floor or block.
No reports of a wider spread
The fire was confined to the bedroom of the affected unit and was extinguished by SCDF using one water jet.
There were no reports that the blaze spread to other flats.
The focus now shifts to determining exactly what electrical component or appliance may have triggered the fire.
Authorities have not released further details on the specific source of ignition.
What happened
Location: Block 722 Pasir Ris Street 72
Time: About 7.30am, Sept. 13
Fire: Bedroom in an eighth-floor flat
Response: SCDF extinguished the fire using one water jet
Evacuated: About 20 residents
Hospitalised: Two people for smoke inhalation
From affected unit: Three people self-evacuated
Preliminary cause: Likely electrical origin
The incident serves as a stark reminder that a seemingly ordinary electrical fault can turn into a serious residential fire within minutes.
For residents, the warning is simple: check your plugs and wiring, avoid overloading sockets, and never leave charging devices unattended for long periods.
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