2-10-2024 (SINGAPORE) A fire incident at Singapore’s Housing and Development Board (HDB) Hub on Wednesday afternoon briefly disrupted services and raised concerns about safety in the bustling administrative centre. The blaze, which erupted in a skip bin located in the Basement 3 bin centre of the building, was swiftly contained by emergency responders.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) reported that the fire involved discarded items within a skip bin, a large container typically used for collecting debris or waste that can be mechanically moved or transported by vehicle. While the incident was relatively small in scale, it nonetheless caused a stir in the busy government facility.
One individual reportedly felt unwell during the incident and was promptly assessed by an SCDF paramedic on site. However, the person declined further medical attention and chose not to be transported to hospital, suggesting that the health impact of the fire was minimal.
The SCDF confirmed that the fire has been successfully extinguished, and investigations are currently underway to determine the cause of the blaze. Such inquiries are standard procedure following any fire incident in public buildings to ensure safety protocols are reviewed and improved if necessary.
In response to the incident, the Housing Board took to social media to inform the public about potential delays in their services. Through a Facebook post, HDB acknowledged that customers might experience longer wait times for appointments due to the disruption caused by the fire. The board emphasised that their foremost consideration was the safety of staff, customers, and members of the public at HDB Hub, and expressed gratitude for the public’s patience during this unexpected event.
All services had resumed by 2:30 pm on the same day, with fewer than 10 customers affected in total.
