A fire has broken out in a Toa Payoh block again, about 1.5 months after a previous fire in the same block.
This time, the blaze at Block 63 Lorong 5 Toa Payoh sent three people to the hospital.
Source: @masturaawang on TikTok
A video of the incident, posted on TikTok, showed smoke coming from a flat in the block, with the user stating that the affected flat was on the third floor.
Translation: Another fire on the third floor of Blk 63 Toa Payoh.
Source: @masturaawang on TikTok
Witnesses saw firefighters at the unit as the blaze blackened the block’s exterior walls.
Source: @masturaawang on TikTok
The authorities also cordoned off part of the area at the foot of the block for safety purposes, as some debris had already fallen from the flat.
Source: @masturaawang on TikTok
The original poster also circled out a kitchen window of the affected flat, saying that it had broken.
Translation: The window in the kitchen broke.
Source: @masturaawang on TikTok
They said there was nobody in the flat as the owner had left to send their children to school.
Their downstairs neighbours called the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), they added.
Responding to MS News’ queries, SCDF said it received the fire alert at about 9:45am on Monday (6 Oct).
When firefighters arrived, they found the kitchen of a third-floor unit on fire.
SCDF extinguished the fire with a water jet.
Authorities evacuated about 50 residents from the affected block as a precaution and assessed two for smoke inhalation.
Paramedics conveyed the two to Singapore General Hospital.
Paramedics also conveyed a third person to Tan Tock Seng Hospital after the person felt unwell.
SCDF added that the fire was likely of electrical origin, from the kitchen.
It reminded the public not to overload electrical outlets with appliances and always switch them off when not in use.
Use only appliance categories and electrical plugs that bear the Safety Mark.
Check wires regularly for fraying or cracked cords, and avoid running them under carpets or mats or near hot surfaces.
Do not charge batteries and devices overnight or leave them charging unattended for long periods.
In a Facebook post, Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC MP Cai Yinzhou stated that he is working with the HDB to rehome the occupants of two units with young children.
Source: Cai Yinzhou on Facebook
He is also tapping community networks to replace the destroyed furniture and appliances.
He has visited the homes of all units with vulnerable persons to assess the impact of the incident, he added.
Mr Cai pledged to continue speaking up in Parliament about fire safety, which is a concern for his residents and many other constituents.
The previous fire in the same block took place on 22 Aug, when the living room of a twelfth-floor unit went up in flames.
Source: Singapore Civil Defence Force on Facebook
SCDF sent three people to hospitals — one rescued from the kitchen, one for or breathlessness and the third for an ankle injury.
The fire had involved a personal mobility aid (PMA) in the living room, SCDF said.
Also read: 3 persons hospitalised after Toa Payoh fire involving PMA, 50 residents evacuated
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Featured image adapted from @masturaawang on TikTok.