Tree in Jurong West catches fire, allegedly caused by exterminators clearing beehive

A tree near an HDB flat in Jurong West caught fire on Aug. 8.

In response to Mothership's queries, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) was alerted to a fire near 329 Tah Ching Road involving a tree on Aug. 8 at around 10:20pm.

SCDF extinguished the fire using a hose reel, and no injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, SCDF added.

According to Shin Min Daily News, the fire was allegedly caused by an extermination company that was trying to clear a beehive on the tree.

One witness told Shin Min Daily News that he smelled smoke at home, and when he went to check, he saw an SCDF vehicle below his block.

He only saw firefighters hosing the tree, but did not see any flames.

The witness speculated that a person may have thrown a cigarette butt from the block, causing the branches of the tree to catch fire.

A video on the Facebook group Singapore Incidents showed the tree engulfed in a ball of flames.

Top photos via Singapore Incidents/Facebook