Six people were transported to hospitals following two separate fires that broke out within one hour at an HDB block in Punggol on the evening of May 1. The incidents occurred on different floors of Block 223A Sumang Lane, requiring emergency intervention from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).
Timeline of Events
The SCDF was first alerted to a blaze on the ninth floor at approximately 6.50pm. This first fire was linked to items discarded along the common corridor and no injuries were reported from this incident.
A second fire was reported on the fourth floor at about 7.40pm. This blaze occurred within a residential flat, specifically involving a bedroom, and was extinguished using two hose reels.
Casualties and Damages
Four individuals from the fourth-floor incident were assessed for smoke inhalation. Three were taken to KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, and one was taken to Singapore General Hospital.
two firefighters who felt unwell during the operation were taken to Singapore General Hospital as a precautionary measure, though both have since been discharged. Footage of the fourth-floor blaze showed flames billowing from the front door toward the corridor ceiling, while interior photos revealed a charred bedroom with destroyed wardrobes, mattresses, and clothes.
Investigation into Cause
While the SCDF continues to investigate the cause of both fires, reports from Chinese daily Lianhe Zaobao suggest the fourth-floor blaze may have been caused by a six-year-old boy playing with a lighter.
The flat owner told the newspaper that he has lived in the two-bedroom unit for about eight years with his wife, who is eight weeks’ pregnant, and their four other children. At the time of the fire, the parents and two sons, aged six and two, were home; the six-year-old was reportedly playing with a lighter in the bedroom while the rest of the family slept.
Potential Next Steps
Official investigators may continue to examine the ninth-floor corridor to determine the exact ignition source of the discarded items. Authorities could also provide further updates on the medical status of the four civilians who were hospitalized for smoke inhalation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people were injured in the first fire?
No injuries were reported from the first blaze on the ninth floor.
Where were the victims of the second fire taken?
Three people were taken to KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, and one person was taken to Singapore General Hospital.
How many residential fires occurred in Singapore in 2025?
According to the SCDF’s annual statistics report, 1,051 of the 2,050 total fires in 2025 involved residential buildings.
How can communities better manage the risk of discarded items in shared residential corridors?