Fire breaks out at Blk 31 Chai Chee Avenue, 4 sent to hospital

UPDATE on Sep. 5 at 9:30am: This article has been updated with new information from the police regarding a 58-year-old man's arrest.

A fire broke out on Sep. 5 at around 11pm at Blk 31 Chai Chee Avenue.

Four men had to be assessed for smoke inhalation and were conveyed conscious to the hospital.

Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) told Mothership that the living room of a unit on the eighth floor was on fire, which was extinguished by firefighters with a water jet.

There was no one inside the unit when SCDF arrived.

Three people from neighbouring units and a firefighter were assessed for smoke inhalation.

The four men were between the ages of 20 and 78.

Around 50 people from the affected block were evacuated by the Singapore Police Force and SCDF as a precautionary measure.

A 58-year-old man was arrested for causing or contributing to the risk of a dangerous fire.

Police investigations are ongoing.

East Coast GRC MP Tan Kiat How thanks "kampung spirit"

East Coast GRC MP Tan Kiat How took to Facebook to thank SCDF, the East Coast Town Council team, and grassroots volunteers for taking care of the affected residents.

The town council team and grassroots volunteers opened the Residents' Network (RN) centre for seniors to rest, as well as assisted those with mobility challenges.

The team also worked to restore electricity and water to affected units and is helping to clean up the common spaces.

They will also repaint the facade of the building.

Temporary accommodation was arranged for residents whose flats were badly affected by the fire, while the team worked to tidy up their units.

"Glad to see the strong kampong spirit," Tan said.

Top image via Tan Kiat How/Facebook