The Singapore Civil Defence Force will recognise two SBS Transit bus drivers after they stepped in to put out a car engine fire along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1 on the morning of Jan 15.
The drivers, Mr Lim Swee Shen and Mr Liew Poh Chye, will receive the SCDF Community First Responder Award on Jan 16 in recognition of their actions during the incident. At the time, Mr Lim was driving a bus on service 133, while Mr Liew was operating service 71. Both buses were travelling along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1 during the morning peak hour when the drivers noticed a car on fire in the middle of the road, according to SBS Transit.
Quick response during morning peak hour
SBS Transit said Mr Lim was the first to respond after spotting the fire. He retrieved a fire extinguisher from his bus and attempted to put out the flames coming from the car. Mr Liew arrived shortly after and also brought along a fire extinguisher. Working together, the two drivers managed to control the fire before SCDF officers arrived at the scene.
SCDF said it was alerted to the incident at 7.45am. The fire involved the engine compartment of the car and was extinguished by the two bus drivers using two dry powder fire extinguishers. SCDF added that no injuries were reported as a result of the incident.
Incident captured on video
A video of part of the incident was later posted on Facebook. In the footage, thick smoke can be seen billowing out from under the hood of a black car. When a man lifts the hood, flames are visible rising from the engine compartment. Seconds later, a bus driver can be seen approaching and attempting to put out the flames using a fire extinguisher. By the end of the 80-second video, the fire had not been fully extinguished.
@sataysource SCDF to recognise two SBS Transit bus drivers who acted quickly to extinguish a car engine fire during morning peak hour in Ang Mo Kio. #sataysource #singapore #sgnews ♬ original sound – Satay Source
SCDF said it will be presenting Mr Lim and Mr Liew with the Community First Responder Awards on Jan 16 at Seletar Depot to commend them for their “quick thinking and prompt efforts”. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, said SCDF.
