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At least 34 PMD-related fires this year

SINGAPORE – There have been at least 34 cases of fires involving personal mobility devices (PMDs) so far this year, with two incidents over the last two days.

The fire incident at Blk 548 Pasir Ris Street 51 on Wednesday (Nov 8). Photo: SCDF

The fire incident at Blk 548 Pasir Ris Street 51 on Wednesday (Nov 8). Photo: SCDF

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SINGAPORE – There have been at least 34 cases of fires involving personal mobility devices (PMDs) so far this year, with two incidents over the last two days.

Early Wednesday (Nov 8) morning, a fire broke out at a balcony of a flat at Block 548, Pasir Ris Street 51. No one was hurt, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said in a Facebook post.

On Tuesday (Nov 7), four people were conveyed to hospital after a fire broke out at Block 260, Yishun Street 22 at about 10.40am. Three of them suffered smoke inhalation and burn injuries were sent to the Singapore General Hospital while another sustained minor injuries and was sent to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital.

Meanwhile, in October, four residents including an infant were injured in a fire caused by overnight charging of an electric bicycle.

According to SCDF, there were 31 cases of PMD-related fires from January to September this year, compared to 19 cases over the same period last year.

“The popularity of (PMDs) such as electric scooters in Singapore has risen in recent years. There has also been a spike in fire incidents involving the PMDs,” said the SCDF, advising that users avoid overcharging of PMD batteries, especially overnight, and to avoid placing the battery near combustible materials while charging.

On Monday (Nov 6), Senior Minister of State for Trade & Industry Dr Koh Poh Koon told Parliament that PMD adaptors are among the goods that have to be registered with SPRING Singapore and affixed with the “Safety Mark” before supply or sale in Singapore. Dr Koh was responding to a question raised by Workers’ party Non-Constituency MP Daniel Goh who asked whether PMD devices are designated as controlled goods under the Consumer Protection (Safety Requirements) Registration Scheme and if they are not, whether they should be so designated to ensure they meet safety standards.

 

CORRECTION: In an earlier version of the story, we reported that Dr Koh had said PMDs have to be registered with SPRING Singapore and affixed with the “Safety Mark” before supply or sale. It is the adaptors of PMDs that need to be registered and affixed with the “Safety Mark” before they are sold. We are sorry for the error. 

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