30-7-2024 (SINGAPORE) A routine morning in Boon Lay, Singapore, was dramatically disrupted when a cement premix truck burst into flames beneath a pedestrian bridge, causing momentary panic among local residents. The incident, which occurred at approximately 8am on Tuesday, 30th July, on Corporation Road near Block 209 Boon Lay Place, thankfully resulted in no casualties.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing two loud explosions before noticing thick, black smoke billowing from beneath the flyover. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) swiftly responded to the emergency, arriving within minutes to tackle the blaze. Firefighters employed a water cannon to extinguish the flames, which had engulfed the engine compartment of the lorry.
Mr Chen, a 73-year-old retiree residing nearby, recounted the alarming experience: “I was having my morning meal when I heard two deafening bangs. Upon investigating, I saw smoke rising from what I initially thought was a burning rubbish chute. The rapid response of the fire brigade prevented what could have been a catastrophic situation had the flames spread to the overhead structure.”
By 9am, the fire had been successfully extinguished. However, the aftermath painted a stark picture of the incident’s intensity. The front section of the cement mixer bore severe scorch marks, with some areas still emitting steam. The pedestrian bridge above showed visible signs of smoke damage, its underside blackened by the intense heat.
Another local resident, a 63-year-old self-employed individual also surnamed Chen, noted that he had detected a sharp, acrid odour early in the morning. He speculated that the ill-fated vehicle had likely been en route to a nearby construction site when its engine spontaneously ignited.
In the wake of the incident, local authorities took swift action to manage the situation. As of 10am, two lanes of the affected road remained cordoned off, necessitating traffic diversions. Law enforcement officers were present, directing vehicles and deploying traffic cones to ensure public safety.
The SCDF has confirmed that an investigation into the cause of the fire is underway. They reiterated that no injuries were reported, attributing this fortunate outcome to the truck driver’s quick thinking in evacuating the vehicle promptly.
