BMW catches fire at Geylang Bahru market carpark, hawker centre cleaners help to put it out

Two hawker centre cleaning staff reportedly rushed to put out a fire that broke out in a BMW car at the Geylang Bahru Market and Food Centre carpark on Sep. 26.

One of them, aged 38, told Shin Min Daily News that he was collecting used bowls and plates at the hawker centre when he saw smoke coming from the direction of the carpark.

After realising that a car had caught fire, he and a fellow employee ran to take 11 fire extinguishers out of the fire equipment cabinet in the hawker centre, then raced to the blaze.

As the situation looked urgent, several members of the public who were in the area also went over to help put out the fire.

"It was a simple job, and something I ought to do," the 38-year-old said. "I'm also grateful to the passers-by who stepped in to help. It was also because the civil defence officers arrived very fast that the fire did not spread further."

The incident happened at around 4pm. Photos show a blaze and smoke emitting from the hood of the car.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said that the fire involved the car's engine, Shin Min reported.

SCDF officers extinguished the flames using a water jet and a hose reel after they arrived.

No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Car started smoking shortly after driver got out

The owner of the BMW, aged 34, told Shin Min that his car suddenly erupted into smoke less than a minute after he exited it to have a meal at the hawker centre.

"I saw that the engine was on fire and quickly ran far away, then called the SCDF for help," he said.

He added that he had had the car for five years, and prior to the incident it had no problems.

He was not sure why the fire broke out, but was glad no one was hurt.