Electrical riser fire at Jalan Kayu HDB block leaves 2 in hospital, sparks blackout
Vihanya Rakshika
The Straits Times
March 17, 2025
Two people were taken to hospital after a fire broke out inside an electrical riser at a Housing Board block in Jalan Kayu early on March 15.
In response to queries from The Straits Times, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it was alerted to a fire at Block 447A Jalan Kayu at 7.30am that day.
The fire involved contents inside an electrical riser along the common corridor of the seventh floor, SCDF said. Firefighters extinguished the blaze using a hose reel and a dry powder fire extinguisher.
The police and SCDF evacuated about 10 people as a precautionary measure. Two people were assessed for smoke inhalation and taken to Singapore General Hospital.
Shin Min Daily News reported that the fire resulted in an electrical outage for the six units on the seventh floor. A resident in one of the units reported that his power was restored at around 9pm on March 15.
A spokesperson for Ang Mo Kio Town Council, which oversees the common areas of residential and commercial properties in the estate where the affected block is located, said repair works to restore the common corridor, including rewiring and repainting, have begun.
"We have restored electrical supply to some of the affected units. Our conservancy team also assisted residents in clearing debris and cleaning sooty walls caused by the fire," said the spokesperson, who also reminded residents to keep risers free of obstruction.
Ang Mo Kio GRC MP Gan Thiam Poh, who represents Fernvale, visited the site to extend his support to the affected residents, added the spokesperson.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
