A late night fire broke out at a 13th floor unit in an executive condominium in Sengkang, Singapore on February 25, 2023. The fire started on the balcony and quickly spread to the connecting bedroom, triggering the evacuation of around 200 residents and requiring firefighters to extinguish the flames. While the blaze was contained to the one unit, it serves as an urgent reminder about balcony fire safety.
The Fire
A fire broke out in a unit on the 13th floor of Block 13 Anchorvale Crescent, part of the Bellewaters EC located in Sengkang, Singapore. The fire started around 9:15 PM on February 25. Flames and thick smoke could be seen billowing out from the balcony of the unit, based on videos circulating on social media. Burning embers were also spotted falling from the balcony as the fire raged.
Evacuation of Residents
Around 200 residents were evacuated from the affected block before SCDF crews arrived on scene. According to reports, occupants evacuated the 13-story block after flames and smoke were spotted billowing from a unit on the 13th floor. The quick actions of residents to evacuate likely prevented further injuries and enabled firefighters to more easily battle the blaze. The evacuation highlights the importance of fire preparedness and having established evacuation procedures. Residents reacted swiftly when danger was apparent, clearing the building and allowing firefighters easy access. While the cause is still under investigation, the orderly evacuation of around 200 residents was a positive outcome, demonstrating strong community response in the face of unexpected danger.
Extent of Damage
The fire involved a mattress on the balcony of a unit on the 13th floor of Block 13 Anchorvale Crescent, where the Bellewaters EC is located. SCDF reported that the connecting bedroom was damaged by the heat and smoke from the fire. A video of the fire circulating on social media platform Xiaohongshu on Feb 25 shows flames and thick, billowing smoke from the flat. Burning embers can be seen falling from the balcony. The damage was contained to the one 13th floor unit where the fire originated on the balcony. Though smoke and heat spread to the connecting bedroom, no other units or parts of the building sustained damage, thanks to the quick response by SCDF firefighters.
Firefighting Efforts
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) responded swiftly when alerted to the fire at 9:15pm. Upon arrival at Block 13 Anchorvale Crescent, firefighters immediately worked to extinguish the blazing fire on the 13th floor balcony using a fire hose reel.
SCDF said that when they arrived on scene, around 200 residents had already evacuated from the affected block. This likely prevented further injuries and enabled firefighters to focus efforts entirely on containing the fire.
The SCDF understands that before their arrival, some public-spirited residents had attempted to gain access to the burning unit to extinguish the flames. While not recommended due to safety risks, the SCDF said they would contact these individuals to commend them for their courageous acts.
Overall, the SCDF’s rapid response and trained firefighting efforts successfully contained the fire and prevented it from spreading further in the building. Their preparedness and skill as first responders played a key role in minimizing damage and ensuring resident safety.
Injuries
As a result of the evacuation, one person suffered a minor injury. According to the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), this individual had a small cut on their head after a fall at the ground floor. As a precautionary measure, they were transported to Sengkang General Hospital for further evaluation and treatment. Thankfully, no major injuries occurred and the remaining evacuees were unharmed. This incident serves as an important reminder about the potential dangers of fire evacuations. While the evacuation was orderly and injuries were minimal, it is essential that proper safety protocols are followed during emergency evacuations to prevent serious injuries.
Investigation
The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). SCDF said it understands some members of the public had tried to gain access to the affected unit and put out the fire before SCDF’s arrival. SCDF added it will be contacting these individuals to commend them for their public spirited acts. Determining how the fire started will be a key part of the investigation. Fires can be caused by various factors, from electrical faults, to discarded cigarettes or candles, to faulty appliances. Investigators will examine the source and spread of the blaze to ascertain what ignited it. They will interview witnesses and residents to construct a timeline of events leading up to the fire. Forensic analysis of burn patterns and debris will provide clues about the fire’s progression. The investigation aims to pinpoint root causes and potentially faulty products or behaviors, to prevent similar fires in the future. Singapore authorities conduct thorough probes into building fires to identify lessons learned and improve safety codes. Their findings will shed light on this recent condo blaze.
Public Acts to Help Extinguish Fire
Before SCDF firefighters arrived on the scene, some members of the public had tried to gain access into the affected 13th floor unit to help extinguish the fire. According to SCDF, these good Samaritans attempted to put out the blaze themselves in a display of public-spiritedness.
SCDF said they plan to contact these individuals to commend them for their brave and proactive response. Rushing into a burning apartment to try and stop the flames shows a high level of selflessness and care for the wellbeing of the other residents.
The public’s willingness to take action, even at personal risk, is admirable. In an emergency, every second counts so these folks likely helped mitigate the damage and accelerated the evacuation. Their quick thinking and courage reflects Singapore’s strong community spirit.
While direct intervention is not always recommended in a fire, in this case these people saw an opportunity to potentially stop the flames from spreading. The public should use discretion, but their instincts to help others in a crisis are laudable. SCDF will make sure to recognize them for demonstrating model conduct. Their honorable deed deserves praise.
Lessons Learned
This fire incident serves as an important reminder about fire safety for all residents. Though the fire was contained to a single unit, it did affect many neighbors.
There are several fire safety tips that can help reduce the risk and impact of residential fires:
– Ensure smoke alarms are installed and functional in each bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on each level of the home. Test them monthly.
– Create and practice a home fire escape plan with two ways out of every room.
– Keep balconies clear of clutter and combustible materials. Discard cigarette butts in proper receptacles.
– Know where your building’s fire alarms and extinguishers are located. Learn how to use a fire extinguisher.
– Store flammable liquids properly in well-ventilated areas away from ignition sources.
– Be attentive when cooking. Keep towels, curtains, and anything that can catch fire away from the stove.
– Plug major appliances directly into wall outlets, not power strips. Replace damaged electrical cords.
– Close doors at night and when leaving your home to keep fire from spreading.
– If there is smoke or fire, evacuate immediately and call 995. Do not attempt to extinguish the flames yourself.
By being prepared and vigilant, residents can work together to prevent fires and stay safe in the event of an emergency.
In Summary
The fire at Block 13 of the Bellewaters EC in Sengkang demonstrates the importance of fire safety preparedness in high-rise residential buildings. The blaze started on the balcony of a 13th floor unit, quickly spreading to the connected bedroom. Within minutes, the building was evacuated and SCDF firefighters arrived to extinguish the flames.
While the fire was contained to a single unit, the incident serves as an important reminder to ensure fire safety measures are in place. The fast actions of the building’s occupants to self-evacuate prevented further danger. Still, one elderly resident suffered minor injuries during the rush to exit the building.
Fires in high-rise apartments can spread quickly through connecting units if not addressed immediately. This situation shows the need for buildings to have proper alarm systems, accessible exits, and prepared emergency procedures. Residents should also routinely inspect smoke detectors in their units and keep balconies clear of combustible materials.
Though the specific cause is still under investigation, the Sengkang fire demonstrates the community coming together in a time of crisis. The timely response of SCDF firefighters contained the damage, while the courageous acts of neighbors trying to fight the fire before help arrived highlights the care and concern people have for each other. Singaporeans can feel reassured that emergency services are prepared to respond swiftly when danger strikes high-rise homes.
