Bukit Merah fire that killed two may have been caused by PMD battery: SCDF
A fire that claimed two lives in a Bukit Merah flat on 13 August may have been sparked by a personal mobility device (PMD) battery pack, according to preliminary investigations by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). The incident adds to a growing number of fires linked to active mobility devices across Singapore.
- Preliminary SCDF findings indicate a PMD battery pack in the living room may have started the fire.
- A 34-year-old man and 32-year-old woman were found unconscious and later died in hospital.
- Fires involving mobility devices have risen sharply, with PMD-related cases up nearly 39% in 2024.
SINGAPORE: A fatal fire in a Bukit Merah flat on 13 August 2025 may have been caused by a personal mobility device (PMD) battery pack in the living room, according to preliminary findings by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).
The SCDF shared the update on 14 August in a Facebook post, urging the public not to charge devices for prolonged periods or leave them unattended overnight.
It also reminded users to avoid using non-original or modified batteries.
The blaze occurred in a fourth-floor unit at Block 106 Jalan Bukit Merah.
A 34-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman were found unconscious in the kitchen and later pronounced dead in hospital.
Two residents from neighbouring units were taken to hospital for smoke inhalation, while about 60 others were evacuated by police and SCDF officers.
Radin Mas SMC MP Melvin Yong said in a Facebook post that the town council had restored power to the affected block after the fire disrupted electricity supply. Grassroots leaders also distributed essentials such as food, water and bedding to affected residents.
Rising number of PMD-related fires
The incident follows a series of similar fires in recent months.
On 22 July, a blaze at Block 173 Toa Payoh Lorong 1 killed two people, while another on 30 July at Block 4 Marsiling Road sent three to hospital.
Preliminary investigations in the Marsiling case also pointed to the battery pack of a power-assisted bicycle left in the living room.
According to SCDF statistics, fires involving active mobility devices rose 21.8% from 55 cases in 2023 to 67 in 2024. PMD-related fires alone jumped 38.9% over the same period.
The SCDF continues to remind the public to follow fire safety practices when charging mobility devices, including avoiding overcharging, using approved chargers, and keeping charging areas clear of combustible materials.
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