Kitchen fire in Toa Payoh HDB flat sends 3 to hospital, 50 residents evacuated
Calista Wong and Claudia Tan for The Straits Times
Three people were taken to hospital after a fire broke out in the kitchen of an HDB flat in Toa Payoh on the morning of Oct 6.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it was alerted to the fire, which happened at Block 63, Lorong 5 Toa Payoh, at about 9.45am.
When SCDF arrived at the scene, the kitchen in a third-floor unit was on fire. The fire was extinguished with a water jet, SCDF said.
About 50 people were evacuated from the affected block, it added.
Preliminary findings indicate that the fire was likely of electrical origin.
Among the three people taken to Singapore General Hospital, two were assessed for smoke inhalation, while the third felt unwell, SCDF said.
In photos of the incident shared with The Straits Times, plumes of black smoke can be seen billowing from the building.
Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC MP Cai Yinzhou told ST that no one was in the affected unit at the time of the incident.
He added that volunteers from the community centre and town council were already on site to assist when he arrived at about 10.30am.
"We are assisting the affected unit with rehoming, to assess the extent of the damage, and to bring out any items that can be recovered," Mr Cai said.
The fire was already extinguished when ST arrived at the scene at about 10.50am.
Several residents were sitting at a pavilion next to the affected block. Paramedics were tending to two women who were seen with oxygen masks on.
SCDF personnel were seen packing their equipment while the area remained cordoned off by the police.
Residents were able to head back to their home at around 11am.
Mr Awal, who lives in the affected unit, was out making food deliveries when he received a call at 10am from one of his neighbours about the fire.
The 29-year-old lives in the one-room rental unit with his five children, aged between two and eight.
When asked about the possible cause of the fire, Mr Awal said: "I don't know, it could be the wiring in the kitchen, maybe."
Mr Muhammud Hd Yazid, 33, who lives in the unit next door, told ST that he smelled something burning at around 9.45am.
"When I opened my front door, I saw white smoke coming out from the unit," he said, adding that he quickly checked if Mr Awal's children were inside.
"When I realised they weren't at home, I left and called 995."
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
To prevent electrical fires, the public should avoid overloading electrical outlets with appliances, leaving appliances running when not in use, or leaving batteries and devices charging unattended for extended periods, SCDF said.
Always opt for appliances or electrical plugs bearing the safety mark, and replace or repair damaged wires and cords.
