
Three taken to hospital after fire breaks out in Toa Payoh flat
SINGAPORE: Three people were taken to hospital after a fire broke out in an HDB flat in Toa Payoh on Tuesday (July 29).
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said in a Facebook post that it was alerted to the fire at Block 229 Lorong 8 Toa Payoh at about 1pm.
The fire was raging inside a unit on the 10th floor when firefighters arrived.
Three people were assessed for smoke inhalation and burn injuries, and taken to Singapore General Hospital.
When The Straits Times arrived at the scene at about 2.20pm, at least 11 firefighters could be seen running in a cordoned-off area where the police were also present, to gather equipment, while crowds had gathered.
Thick, black smoke could be seen from three of the affected unit's windows. The damage and smoke had also transferred to the surrounding units, leaving a black cast.
Residents who were evacuated said the fire had later spread from the affected unit to the 11th and 12th floors.
Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC MP, Saktiandi Supaat, who was at the scene at around 2.45pm, said firefighting efforts are ongoing.
Saktiandi said: 'The fire started at the 10th storey. Residents have been evacuated but I'm aware that several residents are still stuck up at the higher floors. SCDF is doing their best to get them down.'
An older woman could be seen being ferried out in a wheelchair and being attended to by SCDF paramedics.
A resident who wanted to be known only as Rebecca, 83, said she smelt smoke at around 1.30pm when she was about to take a nap.
Rebecca, who lives on the second storey of the block with her domestic helper, said: 'I evacuated immediately using the stairs. When I got to the void deck, there was an old woman who was with her daughter. The older woman was holding a dog and crying.'
The crying woman told firefighters that she was struggling to breathe and she was later attended to by paramedics, added Rebecca, who has lived in the block for 30 years. - The Straits Times/ANN

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Borneo Post
5 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Single mother of two receives aid from Hope Place Kuching
Hope Place representative Yong Tiong Yieng (left) with Voon and her daughter during a delivery of supplies. KUCHING (Aug 5): Hope Place Kuching is providing basic food aid to a single mother of two struggling to make ends meet. The non-profit organisation recently visited Voon Mei Fong, 47, who lives in Demak Laut here. During the visit, Voon shared that her marriage fell apart as she strove to escape from domestic abuse. However, she was grateful her children aged six and 11 did not go through any abuse. As she has no transport, Voon aspires to find a job which does not require her to travel far. Presently, she is unemployed. 'Since her separation from her husband, Voon's elder sister has been supporting her as much as she could. However, with Voon being unable to secure a stable income, the burden is too much,' said Hope Place. Voon said her in-laws have been helping to send the children to school every day, and the house they are staying in belongs to her in-laws. 'But financially, Voon and her children still face an uncertain future,' it added. Donations can be made via Hope Place's Maybank account (511289001160) or the S Pay Global QR code available on its Facebook page. Receipts will be issued upon request. For more information, call Hope Place on 082-505987 or 013-5672775. food aid hope place kuching lead single mother


Malay Mail
5 days ago
- Malay Mail
Singapore town council: Underground leak may have cut off water supply during Toa Payoh blaze
SINGAPORE, July 31 — An underground pipe leak may have caused the dry rising main at Block 229 Toa Payoh Lorong 8 to malfunction during a fire on July 29, the Bishan-Toa Payoh Town Council said. The Straits Times reported that firefighters had encountered issues with the dry riser, which did not work properly during the fire that broke out around 1pm and engulfed a 10th floor flat, spreading to the unit above. In a statement today, the town council said it conducted a joint inspection of the dry riser with the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). 'In our discussion with SCDF, the probable reason for the failure of the dry riser could be due to an underground pipe leak,' it said. The specific dry riser was last tested on August 28, 2024, by an authorised fire prevention and protection system contractor and found to be in working condition, the council said. The next inspection is scheduled for August 5. The town council said SCDF requires an annual hydrostatic test for the dry riser, which includes checks to detect such leaks. Seven people, including a firefighter and a child, were taken to hospital following the incident. On July 30, SCDF said firefighters could not charge water to the affected floors due to the malfunctioning dry riser and had to set up hoses from the fire engine up the staircase to the 10th and 11th floors. ST also reported that in August 2020, a similar issue occurred at Block 138C Lorong 1A Toa Payoh, where a wet riser system was not functioning during a fire on the 20th floor. In response, the town council said the two incidents involved different fire suppression systems and were unrelated.


The Sun
5 days ago
- The Sun
Johor Regent visits royal mausoleum for Hari Hol commemoration
JOHOR BAHRU: The Johor royal family gathered today for a solemn ceremony at the Johor Royal Mausoleum to mark Hari Hol, commemorating the late Sultan Iskandar. The event was led by Regent of Johor Tunku Mahkota Ismail, accompanied by key members of the royal household. The visit formed part of annual traditions honouring past Johor rulers, with this year's observance paying tribute to Almarhum Sultan Iskandar. The royal entourage included Raja Muda of Johor Tunku Iskandar Abdul Jalil Abu Bakar Ibrahim Tunku Ismail and Tunku Abu Bakar Ibrahim Tunku Ismail, as documented on the Regent's official Facebook page. Other dignitaries present comprised Tunku Temenggong of Johor Tunku Idris Iskandar Sultan Ibrahim, Tunku Panglima of Johor Tunku Abdul Rahman Sultan Ibrahim, and Tunku Putera of Johor Tunku Abu Bakar Sultan Ibrahim. The ceremony maintained the continuity of a royal practice initiated in 1896 following the passing of Sultan Abu Bakar. 'These annual observances strengthen our connection to Johor's history while honouring the legacy of our forebears,' a palace official noted regarding the event's significance. The Hari Hol tradition remains an important fixture in Johor's royal calendar, preserving cultural memory through formal remembrance. - Bernama