Three people were taken to hospital and approximately 100 residents were evacuated following an early morning fire at Block 479 Segar Road in Bukit Panjang on October 4.
Firefighters Contain Blaze at Segar Road Flat
Emergency responders rushed to a Housing Board residential block in Bukit Panjang after a fire broke out inside a ninth-floor unit. The Singapore Civil Defence Force received an alert regarding the incident at about 9.35am. Upon arriving at the scene, firefighters discovered that the flames were tightly confined to a single bedroom within the apartment.
Firefighters deployed a water jet to douse the flames, preventing the fire from spreading to neighbouring rooms or adjacent apartments. As police officers and firefighters worked to secure the upper floors, authorities ordered an evacuation of about 100 people from the affected residential block as a necessary precautionary measure.
Three People Transported for Medical Treatment
Three individuals required medical transport following the emergency response. One occupant managed to evacuate the burning unit prior to the arrival of rescue crews, while the other two affected persons came from a neighbouring flat.
Medical personnel assessed all three individuals for smoke inhalation before transporting them for further treatment.
Investigators Trace Cause to Electrical Source
Investigators examining the scorched ninth-floor bedroom traced the origin of the blaze. Preliminary findings indicate that the fire likely originated from an electrical source
inside the room.
In response to the incident, emergency officials issued public safety warnings urging residents to exercise caution with household appliances. Authorities instructed homeowners to check that plugs and appliances carry safety certification marks and to keep outlets clear of excessive loads.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force also noted that batteries and devices should not be left charging unattended for an extended period of time.
Data Shows Rise in Residential Fires
The Bukit Panjang incident aligns with tracking data released by safety officials. In its annual report covering enforcement and emergency medical services, the agency noted an 8.6 percent increase in residential fires across the housing network, moving from 968 incidents in 2024 to 1,051 incidents in 2025.
Official tallies show that unattended cooking and electrical malfunctions remain the two leading causes of residential fires. Last year’s totals included 94 fire injuries and 6 fatalities, keeping attention on the risks associated with household electrical equipment and kitchen safety.