Vikki Moran
Updated on: October 16, 2024 8:19 am GMT
On October 2, a fire broke out in the basement of the HDB Hub in Toa Payoh, prompting a swift evacuation of the building. Nobody was seriously injured, but the incident drew significant emergency response from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).
Details of the Incident
The SCDF was alerted to the fire around 12:25 PM. The fire involved discarded items in a skip bin located in Basement 3 of the HDB Hub. Emergency responders arrived quickly, extinguishing the flames with a water jet.
Evacuation Process
As the fire broke out, occupants were instructed to evacuate. Ms. Nafisah, an admin executive, reported a public announcement at roughly noon, ordering everyone to leave. She and her colleagues were left in the dark about the fire’s cause, waiting for further instructions.
Another employee, referred to as Ms. J, noted that the fire alarm rang at around 12:45 PM. She recounted, “All the lifts stopped operating, so my colleagues and I had to take the stairs down from the 28th floor. It was orderly, and everyone was quite calm.”
Emergency Response
When reporters arrived around 1:45 PM, there were three fire engines, a rescue vehicle, and two ambulances on the scene. Approximately 10 firefighters worked to ensure the area was safe. Only one person felt unwell and was assessed by SCDF medics, but declined hospital transport.
Service Impact and Safety Measures
The Housing and Development Board (HDB) released a statement on social media, indicating that the fire might cause longer wait times for appointments due to the disruption. They expressed appreciation for the public’s understanding, emphasizing safety for staff and visitors.
- Most morning appointments were completed before the fire.
- By 2:30 PM, all services had resumed.
- Fewer than 10 customers were directly affected.
At about 2:05 PM, an announcement stated that HDB Hub would fully resume operations, instructing people to avoid the loading bay in Basement 3. The swift response from the SCDF contributed to a notable lack of chaos during the evacuation.
Next Steps
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. As safety remains a priority, officials will conduct assessments to prevent future incidents. The prompt actions of both the SCDF and HDB staff ensured that everyone evacuated safely and that services returned to normal quickly.
Conclusion
This event reminds us how important it is to be ready for emergencies. The fast action from the SCDF and the smooth evacuation of HDB Hub show that we can keep people safe in cities. While the investigation goes on, keeping everyone safe is still the main focus.
