A mobility scooter caught fire at a busy road junction in Yishun on Tuesday afternoon (Oct. 6), with members of the public using a fire extinguisher to put out the blaze before firefighters arrived.
The incident happened at around 1pm at the junction of Yishun Ring Road and Yishun Avenue 2.
Videos circulating on social media showed flames coming from underneath the seat of the mobility scooter as it burned beside a pedestrian crossing. Another video showed the device moved onto a grass patch, with burn marks visible on the pavement.
No injuries were reported.
Fire believed to have started from battery
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said members of the public had extinguished the fire with a fire extinguisher before firefighters reached the scene.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the fire likely originated from the mobility scooter’s battery, although the exact cause has not been established.
Police officers and firefighters were seen at the scene as the incident was brought under control.
The scooter, also known as a personal mobility aid (PMA), is designed for people who are unable to walk or have difficulty walking. PMAs include mobility scooters and motorised or manual wheelchairs.
SCDF warns against non-original batteries
Following the incident, SCDF reminded members of the public not to buy or use non-original batteries for active mobility devices.
The warning applies not only to PMAs but also to personal mobility devices (PMDs) and power-assisted bicycles (PABs).
Users were also advised against charging such devices overnight or for prolonged periods.
The warning comes amid continued concerns over fires involving active mobility devices, particularly those fitted with non-compliant or modified electrical components.
Singapore has tightened mobility device rules
The Yishun fire comes several months after Singapore introduced tighter regulations governing mobility scooters and other active mobility devices.
From June 1, 2026, motorised PMAs must not exceed 6km/h on public paths, down from the previous 10km/h limit. Users of mobility scooters are also generally required to have a valid Certificate of Medical Need, although exemptions apply to groups including seniors aged 70 and above and certain beneficiaries of government-supported mobility schemes.
New mobility scooters must also meet registration requirements, while retailers are subject to tighter rules on which devices they can advertise, display and sell.
From 2029, mobility scooters used on public paths will need to be registered.
Fire safety remains a concern
Authorities have repeatedly warned that non-compliant or illegally modified active mobility devices can pose serious fire risks.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has said common illegal modifications include replacing electrical components such as batteries or motor hubs with third-party or non-original parts. Such alterations can invalidate a device’s safety certification and increase the risk of fire.
In June, LTA said it had detected more than 200 offences and seized more than 100 active mobility devices and motor vehicles during a nine-day joint enforcement operation with the Singapore Police Force.
More than 600 non-compliant active mobility devices had been detected and seized by LTA from January through June 2026, according to the authority.
Yishun has also previously been the focus of enforcement activity involving non-compliant mobility devices.
In March, the director and store manager of a Yishun e-bike company were charged over allegedly modifying a PMD by adding an additional battery. LTA said the alteration rendered the device non-compliant for use on public paths.
No injuries in latest incident
Despite the flames and smoke, the latest Yishun incident ended without reported injuries.
The fire was extinguished before SCDF firefighters arrived, limiting the immediate danger to pedestrians and other road users nearby.
SCDF’s preliminary assessment that the battery likely started the blaze also highlights why authorities continue to stress the importance of using original components and following safe charging practices.
For users of mobility scooters and other active mobility devices, the incident serves as another reminder that battery safety can be critical — particularly when devices are modified or charged for extended periods.
Authorities have not indicated that the Yishun scooter was illegally modified or fitted with a non-original battery. The investigation into the specific cause of Tuesday’s fire remains ongoing.
