‘Explosive item’ in Hougang turns out to be AMD battery fire, SCDF confirms
A recent TikTok video showing police and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) officers huddled around a mysterious bag in Hougang last Friday (29 Aug) evening sent social media into overdrive.
The clip was captioned, “Suspected explosive item on the street in Hougang. Detonation is going to be performed. Stay tuned!”
The post left several netizens wondering if a bomb was about to be defused.
Source: @nolanola on TikTok
In the 23-second video, officers were seen standing near a bag placed on a grass patch, heightening speculation that an explosive was inside.
However, some sceptical viewers noticed something odd — the officers were standing unusually close to the item.
One Singapore Police Force (SPF) officer was even spotted casually using his phone nearby.
Source: @nolanola on TikTok
SCDF clarifies that there was no bomb, just battery fire
Speaking to MS News, SCDF confirmed that the scare was nothing more than a battery fire.
They said they were alerted to the fire along Hougang Avenue 3 at about 8.10pm on the 29 Aug evening.
Source: @nolanola on TikTok
“The fire involved a battery pack of an Active Mobility Device (AMD) on the pavement,” they explained.
SCDF was able to extinguish the fire using a fire extinguisher.
There were no reported injuries.
Source: @nolanola on TikTok
The cause of the battery fire is still under investigation, which is ongoing.
AMD battery fires on the rise in Singapore
The incident fits a worrying pattern: fires involving AMDs such as Personal Mobility Devices (PMDs) and Personal Assisted Bicycles (PABs) have steadily increased.
In 2024, SCDF responded to 67 AMD-related fires — a 21.8% rise from 55 in 2023, Channel NewsAsia (CNA) reported.
Source: Singapore Civil Defence Force on Facebook
These cases are of particular concern in residential areas, where unsafe charging practices or counterfeit components often cause serious blazes.
In response, authorities are urging users to avoid modifying their devices, never charge batteries unattended, and stick to original parts and compliant models.
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Featured image adapted from @nolanola on TikTok.
