Urgent Evacuation: 35 Residents Escape Massive Fire in East Coast House

SINGAPORE – A dramatic incident unfolded on January 5, when a fire erupted at a semi-detached house on East Coast Road, leading to the urgent evacuation of approximately 35 residents from neighboring units.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) reported that they received the emergency alert at 12:45 am regarding the fire engulfing a three-storey house located at 305 East Coast Road. Firefighters from the Kallang and Paya Lebar Fire Stations rushed to the scene and found that the fire had fully consumed the first floor of the vacant property, with flames threatening to spread to the upper levels.

In a heroic effort to control the situation, firefighters had to force entry into the building. They deployed two powerful water jets to combat the flames and utilized a combined platform ladder for aerial firefighting operations. Their swift response was crucial, as they successfully extinguished the fire around 3 am.

Unfortunately, while no injuries were reported, significant damage was inflicted on the upper floors of the house. An adjacent unit also faced partial damage due to the fire’s impact. The cause of this alarming blaze is currently under investigation by authorities.

This incident is part of a worrying trend in Singapore, as the SCDF revealed that there were a total of 1,954 fire cases reported in the country throughout 2023. This marks an 8.6% increase compared to the 1,799 fire cases recorded in 2022.

Residents are reminded to remain vigilant and ensure their homes are safe to prevent such calamities. Safety precautions, such as regular checks on electrical systems and the use of smoke detectors, could potentially save lives and property. Stay tuned for more updates as investigations progress.