2 fires on same day in Yishun linked to electric bike & PMD

Two separate fires occurred on the same day in Yishun on Friday, Aug. 23, resulting in more than 110 people being evacuated.

The fires at two Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats were linked to a personal mobility device (PMD) in one incident, and an electric bike in another incident.

No injuries were reported.

First fire at maisonette

The fire at Block 392 Yishun Avenue 6 at around 1:25pm involved a unit in the block of maisonette flats.

A neighbour first noticed the sixth floor unit on fire.

A young male occupant was apparently seen sitting in the room and did not leave the unit when coaxed, Shin Min Daily News reported.

According to the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), firefighters forcefully entered the affected unit on the sixth floor and extinguished the fire in the living room using a water jet.

During the fire, another resident said he heard five loud bangs that sounded like explosions, Shin Min reported.

A total of 16 residents from the affected block were evacuated by the police as a precautionary measure.

Preliminary findings indicated that the fire was likely to be of electrical origin from a PMD battery, SCDF said.

According to Shin Min, the walls and ceiling of the living room, as well as stairs of the affected unit were blackened by the fire.

Glass windows were shattered.

A few PMDs were seen parked in the living room of the unit.

Second fire in evening

The second fire occurred at Block 345 Yishun Avenue 11.

SCDF said firefighters from Yishun Fire Station were alerted to the incident at about 11:40pm.

The fire on the eighth floor involved a bedroom and was extinguished with a water jet, SCDF said.

An occupant in the unit had evacuated before the arrival of firefighters, and later declined to be taken to the hospital.

About 100 residents from the affected block were evacuated by the police and SCDF.

The fire caused the living room to sustain heat and smoke damage.

Preliminary investigations indicated that the fire had likely originated from power-assisted bicycle (PAB) batteries in the bedroom, SCDF said.

PABs are also known as electric bicycles.

Top photos via Shin Min Daily News