SINGAPORE — Two people were hospitalized for smoke inhalation and a firefighter taken to hospital for heat exhaustion after a fire broke out in the living room of a seventh-floor HDB flat in Ang Mo Kio on Sept. 22, according to the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). The blaze at Block 254 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4 was reported at 10:45 a.m., with SCDF extinguishing the fire using a water jet. About 20 residents were evacuated as a precaution, the agency said. A third person, a firefighter, was assessed for heat exhaustion and taken to Woodlands Hospital, while two residents found in bedrooms were taken to Singapore General Hospital for smoke inhalation. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The incident occurred in a residential building, with SCDF noting that the fire involved items in the living room. Footage from the scene, shared by AsiaOne, showed shattered windows and thick black smoke billowing from the affected unit. The fire involved items in the living room, according to SCDF, though the exact origin of the blaze has not been determined.
What Happened
The fire was first reported to SCDF at 10:45 a.m. on Sept. 22, with responders arriving to find flames engulfing the living room of a flat on the seventh floor of Block 254. Two residents were located in bedrooms and transported to Singapore General Hospital for smoke inhalation, while a firefighter was taken to Woodlands Hospital after experiencing heat exhaustion during operations. SCDF confirmed the fire was extinguished using a water jet, though no injuries were reported beyond the three individuals hospitalized.
Police and SCDF evacuated approximately 20 residents from the block as a precaution. The Singapore Civil Defence Force emphasized that the cause of the fire is under investigation.
Context and Significance
According to SCDF’s annual statistics, the total number of fires increased by 3% in 2025, with 1,051 involving residential buildings. The top causes of home fires in 2025 were unattended cooking and electrical fires, as reported by SCDF.
Kebun Baru MP Henry Kwek, who visited the affected block, stated that HDB will arrange temporary accommodations for residents. He praised the response of SCDF, police, and local authorities, while urging residents to reinforce fire safety practices, particularly for the elderly. “Hope everyone affected by the incident will be able to settle back in safely soon,” he said in a Facebook post.
What May Happen Next
How many people were evacuated during the fire? Approximately 20 residents from the affected block were evacuated as a precaution.
What is the current status of the fire’s cause? The Singapore Civil Defence Force has not yet determined the cause, stating it is under investigation.
What were the top causes of home fires in 2025? According to SCDF, unattended cooking and electrical fires were the leading causes of residential fires in 2025.
As the investigation continues, residents and officials will monitor developments closely. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of fire safety measures in urban housing, particularly in areas with high population density.
What steps can residents take to reduce fire risks in their homes?