Incident Linked to E-Waste Sparks Safety Concerns
SINGAPORE – On the evening of October 27, a fire broke out at a battery recycling warehouse in Tuas, raising questions about safety measures in facilities handling hazardous materials. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) was alerted to the incident at 8 Tuas South Lane around 9:10 PM, and no injuries were reported.
The warehouse, operated by KGS, a company specializing in e-waste and battery recycling, became engulfed in black smoke when firefighters arrived. SCDF personnel forcefully entered the single-storey building and extinguished the fire using two water jets.
Cause and Scale of the Fire
The fire affected an area measuring approximately 20m by 10m, primarily involving stored e-waste. Preliminary investigations by SCDF suggest that the blaze originated from an electrical fault within the materials.
Industry Safety Measures Under Scrutiny
While the cause is still under review, the incident underscores the risks associated with handling electronic waste, which often contains flammable and hazardous components. The Straits Times has reached out to KGS for more details on the event and their safety protocols.
As recycling and e-waste management play a critical role in sustainability, such events highlight the importance of robust safety standards to prevent future incidents.
