SINGAPORE — In the span of less than four hours on Tuesday (March 19) afternoon, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) put out two fires involving mobility devices in separate incidents, the first of which caused three people to be taken to hospital due to smoke inhalation.

In a Facebook post, SCDF said that it was alerted to a fire at about 2.10pm at Block 706 Clementi West Street 2, which is a public housing block.

Black smoke was seen emitting from a fourth-floor flat when emergency responders arrived at the scene.

“The occupants had evacuated the unit before SCDF’s arrival. Three persons from the unit were assessed for smoke inhalation and conveyed to the Singapore General Hospital,” SCDF said.

The fire, which engulfed contents of a room, was extinguished by firefighters from Clementi Fire Station using a water jet.

The living room area also sustained heat and smoke damage due to the fire.

An initial investigation by SCDF indicated that the fire had likely originated from a personal mobility aid that was charging in the room. 

These are battery-powered devices that are meant to be used by people with mobility issues and include mobility scooters and motorised wheelchairs.

Later that same day, another fire occurred at 5.35pm at the Jalan Bukit Merah Market and Food Centre involving a power-assisted bicycle.

The bicycle, powered by batteries, was parked near a market stall on the ground floor.

No injuries were reported, but three stalls sustained fire and smoke damage due to the fire, SCDF said in a separate Facebook post.

It also shared photographs of the fire damage, including one depicting a bicycle lying on its side and blackened by soot.

The fire was extinguished by firefighters from Central Fire Station with a water jet.

“Preliminary investigation indicates that the fire had likely originated from the battery pack of the (bike),” SCDF said.

The number of fires involving active mobility devices such as electric scooters, power-assisted bicycles and personal mobility aids rose from 42 in 2022 to 55 last year — a 31 per cent increase, based on SCDF's annual statistics released this February.

SCDF warned that motorised devices that are modified, not properly maintained or do not use the original power chargers pose a fire risk.

“To prevent fires (linked to power-assisted bicycles), the public is reminded not to leave batteries or devices charging for a prolonged period or charging them unattended overnight. In addition, do not purchase or use non-original batteries."