The bedroom in the Jalan Bahagia flat affected by the fire. - SCDF/Facebook via ST/ANN
SINGAPORE: About 50 people were evacuated from a Housing & Development Board (HDB) block in Jalan Bahagia on Aug 9 after a fire broke out in a sixth-floor unit.
Firefighters responded to the fire at 34 Jalan Bahagia at around 9.30pm, said the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) just after midnight on Aug 10.
The fire, which was in a bedroom, was extinguished with a water jet, while the rest of the flat suffered heat and smoke damage, said the SCDF.
No one was inside the flat when the firefighters arrived. No injuries were reported.
In a photo posted by the SCDF on Facebook, the bedroom and its contents - including a scorched bedframe - appeared heavily damaged by the fire, with its walls and ceiling also discoloured.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the fire was likely linked to an electrical incident in the flat’s bedroom, said the SCDF.
The SCDF reminded the public that power outlets should not be overloaded with electrical appliances and they should switch off appliances when they are not in use.
Wires that are frayed or those with cracked cords should also be replaced before being used.
MP for Jalan Besar GRC (Whampoa) Shawn Loh spent time with the residents after attending the National Day Parade.
He said the Residents Network centre was opened to offer respite to those in need, although most had returned to their flats.
Loh added that three residents had helped to alert their neighbours to the fire, and even carried some seniors to the evacuation area. - The Straits Times/ANN
