Two hospitalised after Yishun HDB fire likely sparked by unattended lighted item

Two individuals were taken to hospital after a fire broke out in a Housing and Development Board (HDB) flat in Yishun on the afternoon of 7 November, prompting the evacuation of about 50 residents from the block.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said in a Facebook post that it was alerted to the fire at approximately 1.20pm. The incident occurred at Block 128 Yishun Street 11, where firefighters found a bedroom in a second-floor unit ablaze.

Upon arrival, responders entered the smoke-filled flat and extinguished the fire using a water jet.

Three occupants of the unit had evacuated the premises before SCDF’s arrival.

Two others from the same unit were assessed for smoke inhalation and conveyed to KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH).

In coordination with the Police, about 50 individuals from the affected block were evacuated as a precautionary measure.

According to SCDF, preliminary investigations suggest that the fire likely originated from a lighted material in the bedroom.

In its statement, SCDF advised the public: “SCDF would like to remind the public not to leave lighted materials unattended (for e.g. cigarettes, candles and incense sticks).”

There were no reported fatalities or structural damage beyond the affected unit.