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Farrer Park fire caused by power-assisted bicycle that was charging: SCDF

SINGAPORE — The massive fire that engulfed a landed property near Farrer Park MRT station on Friday evening was caused by a power-assisted bicycle that was charging.

An aerial view on the extent of the damage caused by the fire.

An aerial view on the extent of the damage caused by the fire.

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SINGAPORE — The massive fire that engulfed a landed property near Farrer Park MRT station on Friday evening was caused by a power-assisted bicycle that was charging.

Preliminary findings indicate that the blaze that tore through the terrace house at 82 Sing Avenue “is of electrical origin and had originated from a power assisted bicycle which was being charged”, said the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) in a Facebook post on Sunday (July 8).

Members of the public can prevent such fires by not overcharging batteries, placing personal mobility devices on hard flat surfaces when charging to allow for optimal heat dissipation, and not charging the batteries near materials that catch fire easily, said the SCDF.

Videos on social media on Friday showed the fire burning to a height of several storeys. It was brought under control at about 10.45pm, and a total of 14 firefighting and support vehicles were involved in the operation.

The occupants of house escaped before firefighters arrived and no injuries were reported.

Mr Selvamony Karunakaran, an occupant of the house, told TODAY that he was having dinner with his housemate when he heard an explosion at the front of the house. He quickly alerted his landlords, who were sleeping on the second floor of the terrace house.

“If I didn’t call them, they’ll be gone already. They’re like my father and mother. Sometimes they will cook for me. I feel pain inside,” said the construction worker, whose passport and work permit were lost in the fire.

Fires involving electric bicycles and other personal mobility devices have been reported in recent years. The number of e-scooter fires shot up from nine in 2016 to 40 last year, while that for e-bicycles decreased from 17 in 2016 to seven last year.

According to the SCDF’s statistics, there were two fires involving other personal mobility devices last year, down from five in 2016.

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