A fire broke out at a boat storage compound in Singapore’s East Coast Park on Thursday afternoon (October 8), sending thick black smoke billowing into the sky and alarming motorists and residents across nearby areas. One firefighter was later taken to hospital after feeling unwell following the firefighting operation.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it received a report of the fire at about 3.20pm. The blaze involved several boats and other items stored at the compound, prompting emergency responders to rush to the scene.
According to AsiaOne and The Straits Times, the smoke was visible from approximately 300 metres away along the East Coast Parkway (ECP) and could also be seen from locations as far as 1km away, including the Still Road area.
Photographs and videos shared online showed a dense plume of black smoke rising above the surrounding trees, with emergency vehicles and firefighters deployed near the affected site.
Firefighters Used Two Water Jets to Extinguish Blaze
SCDF firefighters worked to contain the fire, using two water jets to extinguish the flames.
By the time AsiaOne reporters arrived at the scene, the main blaze was under control. However, firefighters continued spraying water over the affected area to cool down the remaining hot spots and reduce the risk of the fire reigniting.
Several boats were stored along the shoreline, and fishermen were seen gathering nearby as the emergency operation continued.
The cause of the fire has not yet been established, and investigations are ongoing.
Firefighter Taken to Hospital After Feeling Unwell
Although the blaze was brought under control, the incident also affected one of the emergency responders.
SCDF confirmed that a firefighter felt unwell following the firefighting operation and was taken to Singapore General Hospital as a precaution.
No further details about the firefighter’s condition were provided in the reports available.
The incident highlights the risks faced by emergency personnel when responding to fires involving boats and other stored materials, which can produce thick smoke and create challenging conditions for firefighting teams.
Fisherman Spots Smoke and Calls Emergency Services
The fire was also witnessed by 66-year-old fisherman Tony Sim, who had gone fishing with a friend earlier that afternoon.
Sim told AsiaOne that his friend had returned to shore after they cast their nets, while he remained behind to collect nets that had been left in the water.
It was then that he noticed thick black smoke rising nearby.
Concerned by what he saw, Sim recorded the scene and called Singapore’s emergency number, 995, to alert the authorities.
He said he was too anxious at the time to be certain about exactly what had happened.
His quick call helped alert emergency services to the incident.
Fire Occurs as Singapore Grapples With Regional Haze
The fire also drew attention because Singapore has been experiencing haze linked to forest and land fires in neighbouring Indonesia.
The thick smoke rising from East Coast Park was visible from nearby roads and residential areas, with one motorist telling The Straits Times that she initially mistook the plume for worsening haze before realising it was coming from a fire.
However, authorities have not established any connection between the boat compound fire and the wider regional haze affecting Singapore.
The two incidents should therefore be treated separately while investigations into the local fire continue.
Police and Authorities Seek More Information
AsiaOne reported that it had contacted the National Parks Board (NParks) and the police for further information.
As of the latest available reports, the cause of the fire remained under investigation. Authorities have not confirmed whether the incident was accidental or linked to any specific equipment or activity at the compound.
The blaze serves as a reminder of how quickly fires involving stored boats and other materials can generate large amounts of smoke, potentially affecting nearby roads and public spaces.
For now, SCDF has confirmed that the fire was extinguished, while the firefighter who felt unwell was taken to hospital as a precaution.
Investigators will need to determine what triggered the blaze and whether additional safety measures are necessary to prevent a similar incident in the future.
