Several members of the public were seen helping to put out a fire that occurred at a skip bin near Block 870 along Woodlands Street 81 on Sunday, Sep. 1. Footage shared on TikTok by Amritpal Singh showed individuals holding hoses and spraying water at the fire before the arrival of the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). SCDF firefighters later used water jets to extinguish the blaze.
## Background
The incident, which took place around 4:30 PM, involved combustible materials in the skip bin. The quick response from the public highlights the community’s willingness to act in emergencies. The SCDF’s timely arrival ensured the fire was fully extinguished, preventing further damage or potential injuries.
## Public also tried to contain the fire with 10 extinguishers
In response to queries from Fathership, Amritpal Singh mentioned that three to four members of the public initially attempted to tackle the blaze using fire extinguishers. However, the fire seemed to be concentrated at the base of the skip bin. Subsequently, two individuals used hoses to spray water at the bin in an effort to control the flames before the SCDF arrived.
## Two people had minor injuries
The SCDF confirmed they were alerted to the fire at approximately 4:30 PM. The fire was extinguished using two water jets, with a firefighter seen on the second floor directing one of the jets at the blaze. The SCDF reported that two people sustained minor injuries but declined hospitalisation. The SCDF plans to commend those who attempted to put out the fire for their public-spirited actions. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
## Community response and future implications
This incident underscores the importance of community readiness and the effectiveness of public intervention in emergencies. The SCDF’s decision to reach out and commend the individuals involved may encourage more public participation in future emergency situations. As investigations continue, understanding the cause of the fire could lead to improved safety measures and awareness, potentially preventing similar incidents in the future.
