The quick actions of bystanders prevented further damage in the incident.
A fire broke out in an HDB flat in Ang Mo Kio on November 10, 2024, after a washing machine caught fire in the service yard of a 20th-floor unit. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) indicated that the fire was likely caused by an electrical fault.
Fire Contained by Bystanders
The incident occurred at approximately 3:25 PM at Block 260B Ang Mo Kio Street 21. Members of the public quickly responded to the situation by using buckets of water and a dry powder extinguisher to put out the flames before SCDF units arrived. No injuries were reported.
A video shared with The Straits Times showed flames engulfing the washing machine and black smoke rising to affect the units above.
Fire Statistics in Singapore
This incident is part of a broader trend of residential fires in Singapore. In 2023, there were 1,954 fires reported, marking an 8.6% increase from the previous year. Nearly half of these incidents (970) took place in residential buildings, reflecting a 3.7% rise from 2022.
