A fire broke out inside a 16th-floor flat at Block 807C Choa Chu Kang Avenue 1 on Tuesday (Oct. 6), prompting the evacuation of about 60 residents as firefighters worked to contain the blaze.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it was alerted to the fire at about 1.50pm.
The blaze involved the contents of the living room of a 16th-floor unit, with smoke seen billowing from the flat as emergency crews arrived at the scene.
SCDF Forced Entry Into Flat
SCDF firefighters had to make a forcible entry into the affected unit to gain access to the fire.
They extinguished the blaze using one water jet and two hose reels, SCDF said.
Images and videos from the scene showed thick smoke emerging from the high-rise unit, while multiple firefighting vehicles and a combined platform ladder were deployed outside the block.
The combined platform ladder is designed to allow firefighters to carry out firefighting and rescue operations at height.
About 60 Residents Evacuated
Police officers and SCDF personnel evacuated approximately 60 people from the block as a precautionary measure while firefighters dealt with the blaze.
There were no reported injuries.
After the fire was extinguished and the necessary checks were carried out, residents were able to return home.
The incident did not result in any reported casualties, although the extent of damage to the affected unit has not been detailed.
Cause of Fire Under Investigation
SCDF said the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
There was no immediate indication that the fire was linked to a specific appliance or electrical device.
Authorities have not reported any arrests or other enforcement action in connection with the incident.
As investigations continue, residents have been reminded to take precautions when using electrical appliances at home.
SCDF advises residents not to overload electrical outlets and to switch off electrical appliances when they are not in use. It also recommends that batteries and electronic devices should not be left charging unattended for extended periods.
MP Says Agencies Assisted Affected Residents
Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow, who is also the Member of Parliament for Chua Chu Kang GRC, said the SCDF’s quick response helped ensure residents could return home safely.
In a Facebook post, Siow said staff from the People’s Association, Chua Chu Kang Town Council and HDB were also at the affected block to assist residents.
He said his grassroots team would continue to stay in contact with those affected and provide support where necessary.
Residents requiring assistance can contact the Brickland-Tengah Constituency Office, he added.
Recent Fires Highlight Importance of Home Safety
The Choa Chu Kang incident comes amid continued efforts by Singapore authorities to raise awareness of residential fire risks.
SCDF’s latest statistics showed that 34 fires occurred in residential premises in 2025, 10 fewer than the 44 recorded in 2024.
However, fires involving active mobility devices remain an area of concern, particularly when such incidents occur inside homes.
SCDF has repeatedly advised residents to avoid charging devices unattended for prolonged periods and to ensure electrical appliances are used safely.
For now, the investigation into the Choa Chu Kang fire remains ongoing.
While no injuries were reported, the incident serves as another reminder of how quickly a fire in a high-rise residential building can require an emergency evacuation and a large-scale response from firefighters and other agencies.
