Mini explosion rocks Bukit Batok West car park entrance, bright flash seen split second before that

This is a developing story.

Jane Zhang | Fiona Tan | August 24, 2021, 11:32 AM

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A mini explosion occured in front of a car park's entrance at Bukit Batok West Avenue 8 this morning (Aug. 24).

Speaking to Mothership, a Bukit Batok West resident said the incident occured at the multi storey car park at Block 439.

The multi storey car park is situated right beside Block 439B of Bukit Batok West Avenue 8.

Based on the timestamp from the car's dash camera, the explosion occured at around 8:40am this morning.

Video from Gabriel Tan's dash cam.

Mothership understands from the car owner, Gabriel Tan, whose dash cam captured the incident, that the explosion let out a loud sound.

Tan who was sending his son to school said that he was about to accelerate forward when the explosion happened.

He had to make a detour into the car park and exited from another way.

The impact from explosion blew off the manhole cover, and dislodged the surrounding tiles.

Image via WhatsApp.

Image from Bukit Batok West resident.

Image from Bukit Batok West resident.

Image from Bukit Batok West resident.

According to the resident, Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) was onsite at 9:15 am.

Image from Bukit Batok West resident.

It is unclear what caused the explosion.

In response to Mothership's queries, SCDF said that they received a call at about 9:10 am for a flash fire from a manhole at Blk 439 Bukit Batok West.

There was no fire, and no reported injury on their arrival.

SCDF's preliminary investigations indicate that the incident is allegedly accidental in nature, and investigations are ongoing.

Member of Parliament of Hong Kah North SMC said in her Facebook post that the manhole that exploded this morning was a telco manhole.

Various agencies were involved in the investigation to the cause of the incident.

Mothership has also reached out to Chua Chu Kang Town Council.

Top image screenshot from Gabriel Tan's video and via Bukit Batok West resident

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