A fire broke out in a fifth-floor flat at Block 176, Bishan Street 13, on Saturday, March 1, 2025, around 1:00 PM.
The blaze began when a mosquito repellent coil ignited a nearby cardboard box in the master bedroom. The flames spread quickly throughout the apartment.
The homeowner, 52-year-old Ms. Lee, discovered the fire while eating in the living room with her mother. After unsuccessful attempts to extinguish the growing flames, she evacuated with her elderly parents in their 80s and their domestic helper.
Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) received an alert at 1:30 PM and dispatched firefighters who used two water jets to control the blaze. The fire had engulfed both the master bedroom and living room of the three-room flat.
The fifth-floor unit suffered extensive damage, with burnt windows, air conditioner, and peeled paint. Glass fragments fell to the ground below. The sixth-floor unit had destroyed and cracked windows, while exterior walls and windows from the seventh to tenth floors showed blackening from smoke damage.
SCDF evacuated approximately 40 residents from the building. Authorities allowed residents from the eighth floor and above to return to their homes around 3:00 PM, while others continued waiting.
Preliminary investigations indicate the fire was caused by a lit item left unattended. No injuries were reported in the incident.
When Shin Min Daily News reporters arrived at the scene, they found the area cordoned off with police officers investigating and maintaining order. Multiple police and civil defense vehicles were parked near the building.
