One person had to be rescued and 50 others evacuated after a fire ravaged the kitchen of a Sembawang flat on Tuesday, 3 September. The fire broke out at Block 469 Admiralty Drive at about 2:35 pm, according to a Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) Facebook post. Firefighters from Yishun Fire Station, supported by Woodlands Fire Station, arrived to find a smoke-filled unit on the fourth floor, with its kitchen on fire. The blaze was confined to the kitchen area and extinguished with a water jet. During the operation, firefighters rescued a person from one of the bedrooms, who was then assessed for smoke inhalation and conveyed to Singapore General Hospital. Approximately 50 residents from the affected block were evacuated by the police as a precautionary measure. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
## Background
The SCDF reported that the fire caused significant heat and smoke damage to the living room of the affected unit. This incident is part of a series of recent fires in Sembawang, highlighting ongoing concerns about fire safety in residential areas. In a similar incident on 9 July, two people were taken to hospital after a fire broke out in a Housing Board flat at Block 508A Wellington Circle. The SCDF was alerted to that fire at 1:40 am and found black smoke emitting from a second-floor unit upon arrival.
## Firefighting efforts
Firefighters from Yishun and Woodlands Fire Stations responded promptly to the emergency at Block 469 Admiralty Drive. They utilised a water jet to extinguish the fire, which was confined to the kitchen area. SCDF personnel also conducted a thorough search of the unit, leading to the rescue of an individual from one of the bedrooms. This person was subsequently taken to Singapore General Hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation.
## Evacuation and safety measures
As a precautionary measure, approximately 50 residents from the affected block were evacuated by the police. This swift action ensured the safety of the residents while firefighters tackled the blaze. The SCDF emphasised the importance of having working smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in homes to prevent such incidents from escalating.
## Recent fire incidents in Sembawang
This fire is one of several recent incidents in the Sembawang area. On 9 July, a fire at Block 508A Wellington Circle resulted in two hospitalisations. Another fire on 29 April at Block 409 Sembawang Drive led to the evacuation of about 150 people and one person being taken to hospital. These incidents underscore the need for heightened awareness and preventive measures to ensure fire safety in residential areas.
## Ongoing investigations and future implications
The cause of the fire at Block 469 Admiralty Drive is currently under investigation. The SCDF continues to urge residents to be vigilant and take necessary precautions to prevent fires. Future implications may include increased fire safety campaigns and stricter enforcement of fire safety regulations in residential buildings. The SCDF’s ongoing efforts aim to reduce the frequency of such incidents and enhance the overall safety of the community.
