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Public confusion after Aug 29 KPE tunnel fire due to unsynchronised messages: Khaw

SINGAPORE – Unsynchronised messages for motorists shortly after the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE) tunnel fire on August 29 caused some initial confusion, but the Land Transport Authority has fixed the problem.

Still image taken from video shows a Trans-cab taxi as it explodes within the KPE tunnel towards the TPE on Aug 29, 2017 evening. Photo: Social media

Still image taken from video shows a Trans-cab taxi as it explodes within the KPE tunnel towards the TPE on Aug 29, 2017 evening. Photo: Social media

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SINGAPORE – Unsynchronised messages for motorists shortly after the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE) tunnel fire on August 29 caused some initial confusion, but the Land Transport Authority has fixed the problem.

Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan said messages for motorists inside the tunnel and outside of it were not synchronised “for a short period” after the fire was put out.

“Messages outside the tunnel had ceased to advise motorists not to enter, but the LTA tunnel broadcast system continued to ask motorists to evacuate the tunnel,” said Mr Khaw in a written reply to Tanjong Pagar Member of Parliament Joan Pereira on Monday (Nov 6). “LTA has since reviewed the process and fixed the problem.”

The incident, which involved a Trans-Cab taxi that caught fire in the tunnel towards Tampines Expressway (TPE) before the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE) exit, caused a major traffic jam during the evening peak hours. The fire was eventually put out by two members of the public using a hosereel, and the taxi driver escaped unharmed.

Media reports had cited witnesses who said that announcements were made asking motorists to drive out of the tunnels, or to abandon their cars and leave via the emergency exits. However, there were no signs warning drivers outside the tunnel of the accident or advising them not to enter. Some drivers and passengers took to social media to find out what was happening in the KPE.

Ms Pereira also asked how fire fighters could reach such fires in the event of a traffic jam. In the event of a tunnel fire, firefighters from the Singapore Civil Defence Force will respond from both directions, said Mr Khaw.

The officers approaching from the opposite direction will access the site via cross-passage doors within the tunnel. Fire bikes will be dispatched and fire fighting vehicles may travel on the road shoulder in order to reach the accident site, he said.

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