9-1-2025 (SINGAPORE) A devastating fire at a public housing estate in Hougang has claimed two lives, with emergency services battling challenging conditions to contain the blaze amidst cluttered premises.
The tragic incident unfolded at approximately 12:40 PM on Tuesday at Block 971 Hougang Street 91, where firefighters discovered two casualties in a bedroom of a third-floor flat. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) confirmed both individuals were pronounced dead at the scene.
Emergency responders faced significant obstacles during their rescue operation, as the affected unit was heavily congested with personal belongings, hampering their initial entry attempts. The SCDF team was forced to break into the flat to combat the flames.
In a coordinated effort with local police, authorities evacuated approximately 30 residents from the first seven storeys of the 15-storey Housing and Development Board block as a safety precaution.
A neighbour from an adjacent block, speaking on condition of anonymity, recounted hearing two distinct explosions shortly after midday. “The first indication of trouble came from two loud bangs,” the resident told our correspondent. “It wasn’t until I noticed smoke billowing past my window that I realised there was a fire.”
