A fire broke out at Block 431C, Yishun Avenue 1, on 20 September at around 6:40 pm, leading to the evacuation of approximately 100 residents. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) reported that the fire engulfed the entire living room of a fourth-floor unit. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as the unit was unoccupied at the time.
Background
The SCDF was alerted to the fire at around 6:40 pm. Firefighters had to force entry into the smoke-filled unit to combat the blaze, which was eventually extinguished using a water jet. The rest of the unit sustained significant heat and smoke damage. As a precaution, residents from the third to sixth floors were evacuated by the police and SCDF.
Fire involved the entire living room
The fire, which involved the entire living room, required firefighters to make a forced entry into the unit. The SCDF confirmed that no one was inside the flat during the incident. The fire was successfully extinguished with a water jet, but the rest of the unit suffered from heat and smoke damage.
Neighbour had attempted to help put out the flames
A neighbour, upon seeing a crowd gather, went upstairs to identify the source of the fire. He opened the door of the affected flat, concerned that there might be people inside. Along with others, he attempted to put out the flames using a hose until the firefighters arrived.
Couple left home for dinner and return home to burned down flat
One of the flat’s residents, Chen (transliteration), told Shin Min Daily News that she and her husband had left for dinner around 6 pm. They were informed about the fire at 6:52 pm through a friend’s call. Their son, who was also not at home, was unaware of the fire’s cause. Sources confirmed there were no personal mobility devices (PMDs) in the flat, and the family’s altar used electric lamps instead of oil lamps.
Cause of the fire
The SCDF stated that the cause of the fire is still under investigation. Preliminary findings suggest that the fire originated from a storeroom and was electrical in nature.
