Two fires in two days prompt evacuations and emergency responses in Toa Payoh flats.
SINGAPORE – A series of fires in Toa Payoh over two days have left three people hospitalized, with investigations ongoing into their causes.
Fire in HDB Flat
The first incident occurred on Thursday night at a sixth-storey flat in Block 63 Lorong 5 Toa Payoh. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) was alerted to the blaze around 9 p.m., which had broken out in the living room of the flat. Four occupants had already evacuated the flat before firefighters arrived.
Firefighters used a compressed air foam trolley to extinguish the fire. Two people, including a teenager and his mother, were taken to KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Preliminary investigations suggest the fire likely started from a battery pack of a personal mobility aid being charged in the living room.
Fire in Condominium Rubbish Chute
The following day, a separate fire broke out at a condominium in Toa Payoh. The SCDF was alerted around 12:30 p.m. to a fire in a rubbish chute at Trevista, located at 25 Lorong 3 Toa Payoh. A security officer managed to contain the flames using a fire extinguisher before firefighters arrived. However, the officer was assessed for smoke inhalation and taken to Singapore General Hospital.
An 84-year-old resident from a nearby floor mentioned hearing commotion but did not realize the fire’s severity at first. A domestic helper reported that the security officer appeared to be struggling with smoke inhalation.
Investigation and Safety Concerns
The cause of the rubbish chute fire remains under investigation. Both incidents highlight ongoing safety concerns, particularly with electronic devices and waste disposal systems in residential areas.
