26-5-2024 (SINGAPORE) A startling incident unfolded on the evening of May 25th when a fire broke out along the level five corridor of Block 38 Bedok South Road, prompting a swift evacuation of residents from the premises. According to the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), approximately 50 residents took it upon themselves to evacuate the building as a precautionary measure.
The blaze, which was captured in a gripping TikTok video posted by user @shopwithlala4, depicted the corridor engulfed in flames, with bystanders shouting warnings of “Fire!” to alert others in the vicinity. Amidst the chaos, several individuals could be seen going door-to-door, ensuring that residents were aware of the unfolding emergency.
One resident, Ms. Chen Yanling, recounted her harrowing experience, sharing that she was working from home when she heard loud noises, initially dismissing them as insignificant. However, upon hearing her neighbour’s frantic cries of “Fire, fire,” Ms. Chen swiftly realized the gravity of the situation. Initially thinking her own block was ablaze, she quickly notified her family before discovering that the fire had, in fact, erupted in the adjacent block.
The SCDF promptly responded to the emergency, extinguishing the flames with a water jet. Remarkably, no injuries were reported in the incident, a testament to the swift action taken by residents and the effective response of the emergency services.
@shopwithlala4 so scary, fire at my opposite Blk Bedok South Ave 2 hopefully everyone is safe n fine #fire #explosion ♬ original sound – shopwithlala
Preliminary investigations by the SCDF suggest that the fire likely originated from the battery pack of a power-assisted bicycle (PAB) parked along the corridor. This unfortunate occurrence serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks associated with the improper handling and charging of such devices.
In light of the incident, the SCDF has issued a cautionary advisory, urging the public to refrain from charging PAB batteries for extended periods or leaving them charging overnight. Additionally, they have warned against the use of non-original batteries, which may pose a heightened fire risk.
