A fire broke out at a Housing and Development Board flat in Bukit Batok on the morning of March 12, leading to two people being taken to the hospital and dozens of residents evacuating the block.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force stated that it was alerted to the incident at approximately 8:20 a.m. The fire occurred at Block 465A, Bukit Batok West Avenue 8, and involved the living room of a second-floor unit.
One person from the affected unit was taken to Singapore General Hospital for smoke inhalation. Another individual, who was not from the unit where the fire started, was taken to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital after experiencing chest discomfort.
Residents in the block quickly evacuated the area before firefighters arrived. In a Facebook post on March 12, Jurong East–Bukit Batok Group Representation Constituency Member of Parliament Lee Hong Chuang shared that about 60 residents had left their homes as a precaution.
Photos from the scene showed thick, white smoke emanating from an open window of the affected unit. The walls inside the flat and parts of the corridor outside were also seen blackened and charred from the fire.
Mr Lee later provided an update about the residents who were affected by the incident. He said, “Most residents have since returned home safely, while a few are still awaiting final clearance before they can return to their units.”
He added that temporary accommodation and meals were arranged for residents who needed assistance. Support is also being provided to help them clear debris, repair damaged electrical wiring, and repaint the affected areas in their homes.
Residents whose units were impacted will also receive help replacing essential household items. These include necessities such as mattresses and simple kitchen utensils.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force said the cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
