50 Residents Evacuated After Fire in Jalan Bahagia HDB Flat

SINGAPORE: About 50 residents were evacuated from an HDB block in Jalan Bahagia on Friday night (Aug 9) after a fire broke out in a sixth-floor unit.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it was alerted to the incident at Block 34 Jalan Bahagia at around 9.30pm. Firefighters arrived to find a bedroom ablaze and extinguished the flames using a water jet. While the bedroom was gutted, the rest of the flat sustained significant heat and smoke damage.

No one was inside the unit at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported. SCDF’s preliminary investigations indicate that the fire was likely caused by an electrical incident in the bedroom.

Photos shared by SCDF showed extensive damage, including a charred bedframe and blackened walls and ceiling.

The agency reminded the public to avoid overloading power outlets, switch off electrical appliances when not in use, and replace frayed or cracked wires before plugging them in.

MP for Jalan Besar GRC (Whampoa), Shawn Loh, who had just returned from the National Day Parade, visited affected residents. The Residents Network center was opened to provide temporary shelter, though most evacuees later returned home.

Loh also praised three residents for their quick action in alerting neighbors and assisting seniors to the evacuation area.