2 dead in Hougang St 91 HDB flat fire

Two people died following a fire at a Housing and Development Board (HDB) flat at Hougang Street 91 on Jan. 9 at around noon.

The blaze also resulted in the evacuation of around 30 occupants from seven floors of the block. 

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) shared on Facebookthat they were alerted to the fire at 12:40pm at Block 971 Hougang Street 91.

Firefighters from Ang Mo Kio and Sengkang fire stations were deployed to the scene.

The fire involved a unit located on the third floor, SCDF said.

In a subsequent update, SCDF said two persons were found in a bedroom during its firefighting operations.

"Firefighters conducted forcible entry into the unit but encountered challenges entering due to excessive items within the unit," SCDF said.

Both people were pronounced dead at the scene by an SCDF paramedic.

As of 4:39pm, SCDF confirmed that firefighting operations were still ongoing.

Smoke bellowing from third floor unit

Footage from photos and videos posted on social media showed thick black fumes emanating from the block.

@cspec_ter Fire Incident at 971 Hougang Street 91! Reminder: Please do not hoard things which can result in such fires. The fire has been burning for an hour now… #sg #fire #hdb #hougang #fyp #donothoard ♬ original sound - Specter

A Mothership reader, who is a resident at a neighbouring block, shared that he had caught whiff of a "burning smell" and peered out of his window to find the source.

"By that time, the first SCDF fire truck had arrived, and the personnel were scrambling to connect the fire hydrants," shared the resident, who added that he did not have to evacuate.

At least five SCDF vehicles, including fire trucks, ambulances and red rhinos, were present.

A few police cars arrived shortly after, and cordoned off the entire area, he added.

Animals amongst those rescued

A cat was also amongst those evacuated.

An SCDF paramedic, and a resident in a dark-coloured top could be seen tending to a feline wrapped in a cloth bundle.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Mothership has contacted police and SCDF for comments.

Top image from Mothership reader