How many fires caused by charging of PMDs?

[NanoSpeed]

How is it that only HDB flats are affected ?

Condos have strict controls that HDB do not ?

 

[True Believer]

How is it that only HDB flats are affected ? Condos have strict controls that HDB do not ?

The low SES PMD users live in HDB flats.

 

[NanoSpeed]

The low SES PMD users live in HDB flats.

I will keep a lookout for PMDs in the condos that I ply my part-time trade.

 

[True Believer]

I will keep a lookout for PMDs in the condos that I ply my part-time trade.

There are none at my condo and the motorcycle parking lots are always vacant as well.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

AMD battery packs, electrical faults likely causes of recent residential fires: Goh Pei Ming​

Aug 30, 2025

SINGAPORE – Battery packs from some active mobility devices (AMDs) and electrical faults were found to be the likely causes of a recent spate of residential fires, said Minister of State for Home Affairs and Social and Family Development Goh Pei Ming.

The Government is concerned about these fires, and may consider stiffer action against the owners and retailers of non-compliant AMDs, Mr Goh told reporters at Joo Chiat Community Club on Aug 30, on the sidelines of a Responder Plus Programme.

Twenty-six participants picked up core life-saving skills such as firefighting, first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation during the emergency preparedness training programme by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).

There have been at least eight fire-related deaths in 2025 so far, compared with three in 2023 and five in 2024.

In April 2025, a blaze at a shophouse in River Valley left a 10-year-old girl dead, and 21 others injured. More recently in August, a fire in a Jalan Bukit Merah flat resulted in the death of two people in their 30s.

Mr Goh said the Government is looking at various measures to step up fire safety protection.

Several measures have already been put in place, such as requiring all new flats and existing flats undergoing addition and alteration works to install home fire alarm devices since 2018.

Town councils, together with the SCDF, have also been working very closely to remove fire hazards from corridors and common spaces, he said.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) and Ministry of Transport also require all power systems, bicycles and personal mobility devices (PMDs) to be registered and to undergo safety checks, he added.


PMDs in Singapore must be registered with LTA and be UL2272-certified, fitted with an LTA plate and undergo inspection every two years.

Batteries should be regularly examined for any damage or deformities, and should be charged using only compatible chargers with a safety mark.

There have been 20 fires involving PMDs in the first half of 2025, according to the SCDF, double the number in the same period in 2024.

“The SCDF has been installing fire extinguishers in various HDB estates next to many of the AEDs (automated external defibrillators), to allow for members of the public to access emergency resources to help respond to fires a lot more quickly,” said Mr Goh, who is an MP for Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC.

“As at July this year, more than 90 per cent of the places that require such installations already have the fire extinguishers in position.”


Mr Goh said it would be useful for residents to know where the nearest fire extinguisher is, or to buy a fire extinguisher for their homes if they are prepared to do so. He also urged residents to install home fire alarms.


As for dry rising mains in housing estates, he said there is already an “inspection regime for checks”.

An underground pipe leak was likely the reason behind a failed dry riser during a blaze at Block 229 Toa Payoh Lorong 8 in July. Firefighters had to run hoses up the stairs from lower floors as the dry riser was not functioning.

Should the data from annual checks suggest that there is a need for more checks and inspections to be done, “we will explore the option”, Mr Goh added.

 

[True Believer]

Remember the 5 overweight Malay PMA riders and passengers who assaulted a middle-aged Chinese woman who told them not to speed? These 5 terrorists are mobile enough to attack someone for advising them to slow down, so why do they even have to ride on these PMAs? When is the court case coming up anyway? It has been over a year since the assault.

 

[jurongkechil]

Just ban pmd charging at home. Only can charge at hdb ground floor void deck. Problem solve

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

10 taken to hospital after Ang Mo Kio HDB block fire involving personal mobility aid; 90 evacuated​

SCDF was alerted to the fire at Block 510 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8 at about 8.30pm on Sept 25.

Sep 25, 2025

SINGAPORE – Ten people were taken to the hospital after a fire involving a personal mobility aid (PMA) and bicycles broke out at an HDB block in Ang Mo Kio on Sept 25.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it was alerted to a fire at Block 510 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8 at about 8.30pm.

“The fire, which involved a PMA and bicycles at the lift lobby on the seventh floor, was swiftly extinguished by firefighters,” it said.

About 90 residents from the block were evacuated as a precautionary measure.

SCDF added that 10 people were also assessed for smoke inhalation and taken to the hospital.

SCDF said 10 people were assessed for smoke inhalation and taken to the hospital.

ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN

When The Straits Times arrived at the scene at around 9pm, evacuated residents were seen waiting at the void deck.

Evacuated residents were waiting at the void deck when ST arrived at the scene in Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8 at around 9pm.

ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN

Meanwhile, paramedics were seen on site giving medical attention to some people in an area at the foot of the block that was cordoned off.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Users, sellers of non-compliant AMDs may face tougher action after recent fires: Shanmugam​

There were 22 AMD-related fires in Housing Board flats in 2024, compared with 20 in 2023 and 19 in 2022.

Summary

• Non-compliant active mobility devices (AMDs) are causing severe fires, with 187 AMD-related fires in the last five years, half occurring during charging.
• Stricter enforcement, including tougher penalties, is being considered for those who use or sell non-compliant AMDs as they endanger lives.
• Home fire alarm devices are being installed in HDB flats to improve fire safety awareness and response.

AI generated

Sep 23, 2025

SINGAPORE –The recent fires involving active mobility devices (AMDs) are a significant area of concern for the authorities, who are considering tougher action against sellers and users of non-compliant devices.

Such devices pose significant safety risks, and those who use or sell them knowingly endanger the lives of their families and neighbours, said Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam.

He was responding in a written reply on Sept 22 to parliamentary questions from Mr Cai Yinzhou (Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC) about fires involving such devices.


Fires in HDB estates have generally been on the decline, from 939 in 2020 to 803 in 2024, said Mr Shanmugam. But fires cause major disruptions leading to the loss of assets and lives, and most of them could have been prevented.

He said there have been 187 fires involving AMDs over the last five years.

Of these, about 46 per cent involved personal mobility devices (PMDs), 42 per cent involved power-assisted bicycles (PABs) and 12 per cent involved personal mobility aids (PMAs).

Mr Shanmugam said 98 of these fires, or about half, happened during charging of the devices.

There were 22 AMD-related fires in HDB flats in 2024, compared with 20 in 2023 and 19 in 2022.

There were also 21 such fires in the common areas of HDB estates in 2024, compared with 14 in 2023 and 11 in 2022.

He said: “Although such fires form a small proportion of fires in HDB estates, AMD-related fires are typically more severe and more likely to result in fatalities and injuries. We are especially concerned about non-compliant AMDs.

“We are considering tougher enforcement action to send a stronger deterrent signal that the use or sale of non-compliant AMDs poses significant safety risks.”

Mr Shanmugam added: “These individuals are knowingly endangering not just the lives of their family but the lives of their neighbours as well.”

On Aug 13, two people died and four residents of Block 106 Jalan Bukit Merah were taken to hospital after a fire broke out in a fourth-floor unit at about 4pm.


The blaze is believed to have started from a PMD battery pack, said the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) in a Facebook post on Aug 14.

On Aug 13, two people died and four residents of Block 106 Jalan Bukit Merah were taken to hospital after a fire broke out in a fourth-floor unit.

ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG

On Aug 22, three people were taken to hospital after a fire broke out in a 12th-floor unit at Block 63 Lorong 5 Toa Payoh at 2.30am. SCDF later said the fire involved a PMA.

Since June 2021, businesses and individuals have had to obtain approval from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to import PABs and PMDs into Singapore. These devices must meet the UL2272 and EN15194 standards for PMDs and PABs, respectively, to manage fire safety risks.

There are currently no commonly recognised international fire safety standards for PMAs, said Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow in a separate reply.

But LTA is monitoring the development of international standards.

Despite these safety measures, some people are choosing to intentionally flout regulations and sell non-compliant devices, or modify their previously compliant devices and make them unsafe, said Mr Shanmugam.

In the past three years, 77 of the AMD-related fires in HDB estates involved such non-compliant devices. Mr Shanmugam said this is why LTA has stepped up regulatory measures and enforcement against the sale or use of non-compliant AMDs.

Between 2020 and 2024, LTA detected more than 6,000 cases of non-compliant AMDs on public paths and roads, and more than 100 violations by errant retailers.

A recent raid of a shop in Aljunied suspected of selling non-compliant AMDs led to the seizure of 11 illegal devices.

Those caught using non-compliant AMDs will have their devices seized and can be jailed for up to six months and fined $10,000.

Those caught selling such devices for use on public paths can be jailed for up to 24 months and fined up to $40,000.

The punishments are doubled for repeat offenders.

There have been at least eight fire-related deaths in 2025 so far, compared with three in 2023 and five in 2024.


At an event in August, Minister of State for Home Affairs and Social and Family Development Goh Pei Ming said battery packs from some AMDs and electrical faults
were the likely causes of a spate of residential fires.

Mr Shanmugam said more is being done to help home owners better respond to fires.

In 2018, it became mandatory for all new residential premises, including community care apartments, to have home fire alarm devices (HFADs).

Mr Shanmugam said that for existing residential premises, the devices are mandated only if fire safety-related addition and alteration works were carried out.

The devices are also installed as part of fire safety works under the Home Improvement Programme in cases where fire-rated doors are installed.

He said seniors who wish to install HFADs in their homes can enjoy a subsidy of up to 95 per cent.


More than 80 per cent of public rental flats already have the devices installed, and HDB will progressively install them in the remaining 20 per cent for free.

Mr Shanmugam said that as at June, HFADs have been installed in about 191,000 HDB flats. Of these, 74,000, or one in three, were built before 2018.

While the Government continues to review its policies, programmes and regulations, the best defence against a home fire is still the home owner, he added.

The minister noted that a residential fire safety campaign, Better Awareness, Safer Homes, will be launched to increase public awareness of the top causes of residential fires and encourage home owners to evaluate potential home fire hazards.

“Fire safety is a collective responsibility. We must work together, each doing our part, to keep our homes fire-safe,” he said.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Man taken to hospital after PMD-linked fire at Potong Pasir flat​

Preliminary investigations indicate that the fire had likely originated from a PMD in the living room.

Oct 02, 2025

SINGAPORE – A man was taken to the hospital after inhaling smoke from a fire allegedly caused by a personal mobility device (PMD) on Oct 1.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it was alerted to the fire at Block 132 Potong Pasir Avenue 1 at 2.55pm.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the fire had likely originated from a PMD in the living room, said SCDF.

SCDF said the man was evacuated from the first-floor unit and taken to Singapore General Hospital.

The number of fires involving PMDs has been creeping back up in the last three years.

SCDF said there have already been 20 such fires in the first half of 2025, up from 10 in the same period in 2024.


It added that members of the public should not purchase or use non-original batteries in their mobility devices. Batteries should not be charged for an extended period of time nor overnight.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

LTA officers raid shop in Aljunied, seize 11 illegal mobility devices​

Land Transport Authority officers raiding a shop in Aljunied suspected of selling non-compliant active mobility devices on Sept 15.

Sep 16, 2025

SINGAPORE – Land Transport Authority (LTA) officers on Sept 15 raided a shop in Aljunied suspected of selling non-compliant active mobility devices, which have been involved in an increasing number of fires in the last few years.

By the end of the bust, which The Straits Times was invited to observe, 11 illegal devices were seized.

LTA said the retailer had committed 19 offences, including the display of non-compliant power-assisted bicycles, or e-bikes, for sale.

More than 600 non-compliant mobility devices were seized between January and August 2025, LTA said on Sept 16.

In the same period, LTA’s raids caught seven retailers for selling illegal mobility devices. These retailers had committed about 30 offences for selling non-compliant devices, LTA said.

Such non-compliant devices pose severe fire risks. In the first eight months of 2025, there were 37 fires involving mobility devices.

In 2024, 67 blazes involved mobility devices, up from 55 in 2023 and 42 in 2022. There were 63 fires involving mobility devices in 2021 and 68 in 2020.

There have been eight fire-related deaths in 2025 so far, compared with three in 2023 and five in 2024.

In a Facebook post on Sept 16, LTA said a recent fire involved a battery sold by an online second-hand source instead of an authorised retailer.

This would void the safety certification of the device and pose a significant fire risk.

Common illegal modifications of mobility devices include the changing of electrical parts such as the battery and electric motor with third-party or non-original versions, added LTA.

From January 2020 to August 2025, LTA detected more than 7,000 offences involving the use of non-compliant mobility devices on paths and roads, and more than 100 offences by retailers.

In a Facebook post on Sept 16, Minister of State for Transport Baey Yam Keng said illegal mobility devices can be dangerous.

“These aren’t just statistics – they’re real risks to our neighbourhoods, so it is important to curb the sale and use of illegal devices,” he said.

Weeks after a fire thought to have been caused by the battery pack of a mobility device killed two people in their 30s on Aug 13, Minister of State for Home Affairs and Social and Family Development Goh Pei Ming said the Government is concerned about these fires, and may consider stiffer action against owners and retailers of non-compliant mobility devices.

Eleven devices were impounded during the raid on Sept 15.

Mobility devices have to meet safety standards​

E-bikes and motorised and non-motorised personal mobility devices such as e-scooters and kick-scooters are considered active mobility devices.

Personal mobility aids, such as motorised wheelchairs and three- or four-wheeled mobility scooters, also fall under this category. These are designed to carry those who are unable to walk or have walking difficulties.

LTA urged the public to buy mobility devices only from reputable sources, and to check for defects and modifications when purchasing devices second-hand online.

Motorised devices here are required by law to meet safety standards – UL2272 standards for motorised personal mobility devices and EN15194 standards for e-bikes.

Only devices that meet these standards can be imported into and used in Singapore.

LTA said offences involving non-compliant devices on public paths and roads declined from January 2020 to August 2025. For instance, there were more than 900 offences in 2024, down from more than 1,000 offences in 2023.

The authority also said it works closely with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority and Singapore Customs to stem the inflow of non-compliant devices by identifying and taking enforcement action against those who import such devices without approval.

The Land Transport Authority urged the public to buy mobility devices only from reputable sources, and to check for defects and modifications when purchasing devices second-hand online.

ST PHOTO: GIN TAY

When LTA’s officers raided the Aljunied shop on the afternoon of Sept 15, the shop was crammed with mobility devices of all kinds, mostly e-bikes.

It had no customers when the officers entered; only the owner of the shop and his assistant were present.

The officers carried or wheeled the devices out of the shop, to weigh them and test their speeds.

LTA-approved e-bikes must not weigh more than 20kg or have handlebars longer than 70cm. Their maximum speed limit must be 25kmh.

Further investigations will be carried out on the devices seized from the Aljunied shop, and on the 19 offences detected, LTA said.

LTA-approved e-bikes must not weigh more than 20kg or have handlebars longer than 70cm.

In January, the owner of an electric bicycle shop was fined $7,000 for selling a non-compliant battery and an illegally modified e-bike.

The two non-compliant items from the shop were linked to two separate blazes in 2024, in Hougang and Bukit Batok, and caused one of the users to suffer burns.

Prince Bryan Tan, 29, the sales and marketing manager of the shop Drive Bikes Singapore, admitted to two charges in the Republic’s first such prosecution.

The first offence is under the Road Traffic Act for causing an e-bike to be illegally modified, and the second is under the Active Mobility Act for selling a non-compliant e-bike.

Tan sold an incompatible battery on Jan 27, 2024, which went up in flames when the e-bike user was riding in Hougang Avenue 5 three months later, on April 27, 2024.

The user suffered burns and needed skin grafting.

On Feb 21, 2024, Tan also sold an e-bike fitted with a battery that was not compliant with safety certifications.

The e-bike caught fire at the customer’s home in Bukit Batok Street 32 on April 25 that year, causing significant damage to the flat.


Those convicted of selling non-compliant mobility devices can be fined up to $20,000, jailed for up to two years, or both. Companies can be fined up to $40,000.

Those found guilty of using non-compliant mobility devices may be fined up to $10,000, jailed for up to six months, or both. Repeat offenders face a fine of up to $20,000, up to a year’s jail, or both.

Members of the public can report errant retailers or path users through LTA’s online feedback form at  www.lta.gov.sg/feedback.

LTA said it will take such feedback into account in planning enforcement operations.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

PMD fires becoming more of a concern; don’t use illegal PMDs bought online: Chee Hong Tat​

National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat (far left) and his fellow Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC MPs Cai Yinzhou (third from left) and Elysa Chen (fourth from left) viewing a burnt PMD at a Community Resilience Day event on Oct 19.

Summary

• Residents should buy compliant PMDs from approved shops and avoid modifying them for safety.
• The Better Awareness, Safer Homes campaign includes increasing inspections of common areas in HDB estates.
• Residents are urged to learn life-saving skills, report hoarding, and use the Home Fire Safety Checker to improve their home’s fire safety.

AI generated

Oct 19, 2025

SINGAPORE - Another warning about the fire hazards of illegal personal mobility devices (PMDs) has been sounded by a Cabinet minister.

National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat said at a community event that PMD fires are becoming more and more of a concern in Singapore, and residents should not use illegal PMDs bought online. Their batteries are unsafe, and may overheat and catch fire during charging.

“Always buy from the proper shops. Don’t go and ‘zhng’ your device... Use the original approved batteries for your own safety,” he added, using the Hokkien term for modify.

Mr Chee, who is an MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, was speaking at the Community Resilience Day event held at Plaza@128 in Toa Payoh on Oct 19.

In the event of a PMD-related fire, residents may not be able to put out such fires on their own, as the PMD batteries continue to have a lot of heat, he said.

“Don’t take on PMD fires on your own because the fire extinguishers that we have and the hose for common areas may not be suitable or enough to deal with PMD fires.”

As part of the new Better Awareness, Safer Homes campaign, Mr Chee said town councils will increase inspections of HDB estates’ common areas, as well as promptly address cases reported through the OneService app.

Town council representatives and community emergency preparedness units formed in each constituency have been trained in hazard detection, and will step up block surveys of common areas to identify facilities requiring maintenance.

The campaign comes in the wake of increasing fire incidents in residential areas.

Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam said in September that there have been 187 fires involving active mobility devices (AMDs) over the last five years. Of these, about 46 per cent involved PMDs, 42 per cent involved power-assisted bicycles and 12 per cent involved personal mobility aids.

Mr Shanmugam said about half of the fires happened during charging of the devices.

The Better Awareness, Safer Homes campaign, which focuses on raising awareness of fire safety within homes and common areas, was created by the National Fire and Emergency Preparedness Council (NFEC), Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and People’s Association (PA).

It seeks to educate the public on the top three causes of residential fires, which are electrical fires in and outside homes, as well as clutter and dumping in common areas such as stairwells and corridors.

Fire hazards identified include unattended cooking, electrical overloading, and the use of non-compliant AMDs within homes, as well as obstruction in corridors and void decks.

Mr Chee said at the event: “If you see any neighbours with hoarding cases, do let us know as well, and we’ll work together with the agencies.”

Some of these residents may have mental wellness concerns and need more help to keep the community safe, he added.

Mr Chee also highlighted the three “P”s of fire safety: taking precautions to prevent fires; being prepared for emergencies, such as learning how to use the fire extinguisher; and partnering SCDF, HDB and other agencies.

“If you wait until the emergency happens, it’s too late,” he said.

Home owners are encouraged to use the Home Fire Safety Checker on NFEC’s website.

The Community Resilience Day event on Oct 19, which was organised by the Bishan-Toa Payoh and Marymount community emergency preparedness units, featured a PMD fire safety scenario drill and evacuation exercise.

The Community Resilience Day event on Oct 19 featured a PMD fire safety scenario drill and evacuation exercise.

ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

Two other Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC MPs, Mr Cai Yinzhou and Ms Elysa Chen, also joined the event, where residents tried their hand at cardiopulmonary resuscitation, first aid and using a fire extinguisher.

Mr Chee encouraged residents to gain hands-on experience in these life-saving skills, as well as to participate in SCDF’s Responders Plus Programme for comprehensive training.

National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat (in black) and his fellow Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC MPs Cai Yinzhou and Elysa Chen trying their hand at cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

After receiving the relevant training, members of the public can register as a community first responder through SCDF’s myResponder app, or join the PA Community Emergency Response Team.

Community first responders are volunteers who receive alerts from the app to assist in cases of cardiac arrests and minor fires.

At the Toa Payoh event, 24 community first responders were recognised for their contributions.

Addressing residents, Mr Chee said: “Every skill that you learn today, every safety check that you perform, contributes to this more resilient community.

“I hope that we work together to keep our homes and our community safe and resilient.”

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

1 taken to hospital, 25 evacuated after fire involving personal mobility aid at Yishun HDB flat​

The Singapore Civil Defence Force said it was alerted to the fire at Block 756 Yishun Street 72 at 12.05pm on Oct 20.

Oct 20, 2025

SINGAPORE – One person was taken to KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital for smoke inhalation after a fire broke out on Oct 20 at a Housing Board flat in Yishun.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it was alerted to the fire at Block 756 Yishun Street 72 at 12.05pm.

SCDF said the fire, which was extinguished with a water jet, involved two personal mobility aids (PMAs) in the corridor outside a unit on the second floor.

About 25 people from the block were evacuated by the SCDF and police as a precautionary measure.

In a Facebook post on Oct 20, Nee Soon GRC MP Goh Hanyan said that electricity supply to two units in the affected block was temporarily impacted.

Contractors will restore electricity supply by Oct 20 evening, she added, with further repair works continuing the next day.

The area is also being cleaned up by Nee Soon Town Council’s conservancy team, said Ms Goh.

Preliminary findings indicate that the fire had likely originated from one of the affected PMAs, SCDF said.

It added that motorised devices which are modified, not properly maintained, or charged using non-original chargers pose a fire risk.

According to SCDF statistics, there have been eight fire-related deaths as at August 2025 – an increase from five in 2024, and three in 2023.

Battery packs from some active mobility devices (AMDs) and electrical faults were found to be the likely causes of a recent spate of residential fires, said Minister of State for Home Affairs and Social and Family Development Goh Pei Ming on Aug 30.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

4 taken to hospital, 200 evacuated after PMA-linked fire at Ang Mo Kio HDB block​

The fire at Block 641 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4 involved a personal mobility aid at a lift lobby on the eighth floor.

Nov 05, 2025

SINGAPORE - Four people were taken to the hospital after a fire involving a personal mobility aid (PMA) at an Ang Mo Kio HDB block on Nov 4.

About 200 people were evacuated as a precautionary measure.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said in a Facebook post on Nov 5 that it was alerted to the fire at Block 641 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4 at about 11.15pm.

Four people were taken to Singapore General Hospital after being assessed for smoke inhalation, it added.

The fire involved a PMA at a lift lobby on the eighth floor of the block.

Firefighters were able to extinguish the flames with a water jet.

The cause of fire is under investigation.

When The Straits Times visited the block at about 11am on Nov 5, a handful of contractors were seen repairing the electrical wiring on the eighth floor.

The area around the lift lobby was blackened with soot and there was an acrid smell of smoke in the air.

A 71-year-old resident, who gave his name only as Mr Tan, said he was asleep when neighbours banged on his door to alert him to the fire. He lives a few doors away from the lift lobby.

“We escaped the smoke and confusion using the stairs. We didn’t have any problems because I don’t have health issues. But as of now, we still do not have electricity,” he said.

Another resident on the same floor, Mr Vincent Peter, told ST that he sprang out of bed to get water, after his daughter woke him up at around 11pm to inform him about the fire.

“We could feel the heat from our walls because the fire was just next door,” the 57-year-old said.

He said that he had tried to douse the flames on the burning PMA with two pails of water, but a neighbour’s son told him to stop because there were “mini explosions”.

“All we could do then was to evacuate in the dark... All nine of us - my wife, two daughters, two dogs and three parrots,” he added.

Cleaner Supian Ismail, 67, said that the corridors were dark and there was thick smoke as he and his neighbours evacuated from their homes.

“I could only see the red, angry fire through the smoke,” he added.

“It was chaotic as we tried to escape as quickly as possible. Many elderly residents got help from neighbours or family members who escorted them to the ground floor.”

He added that they were only allowed to return to their homes at around 3am, which was when he found out that three of his ornamental fishes had died when the electricity to his unit was cut off.

According to SCDF statistics, there have been eight fire-related deaths as at August 2025 – an increase from five in 2024, and three in 2023.

Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam said in September that the authorities are considering tougher action against sellers and users of non-compliant active mobility devices (AMDs), which include PMAs.

He said in a written reply to parliamentary questions that there have been 187 fires involving AMDs over the last five years.

Of these, about 46 per cent involved personal mobility devices (PMDs), 42 per cent involved power-assisted bicycles (PABs) and 12 per cent involved PMAs.

In October, National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat also cautioned against using illegal PMDs bought online, as these devices may overheat and catch fire during charging.

He noted that PMD fires are becoming more and more of a concern in Singapore, and urged users to buy their devices from approved shops.

ST has contacted HDB and the Ang Mo Kio Town Council for more information.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

40 evacuated, 4 taken to hospital after PMD-linked fire in Yishun​

The fire at Block 475B Yishun Street 44 likely originated from a PMD in the living room of a third-floor unit.

Nov 05, 2025

SINGAPORE - A fire linked to a personal mobility device (PMD) broke out in Yishun in the early hours of Nov 5, causing about 40 people from the affected block to be evacuated and four to be taken to hospital.

This was less than four hours after another fire involving a personal mobility aid at an HDB block in Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4 late on Nov 4.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), which was alerted to the fire at Block 475B Yishun Street 44 at about 2.25am, extinguished the fire after arriving at the scene.

According to SCDF’s preliminary findings, the fire likely originated from a PMD in the living room of a third-floor unit.

Four people from the affected unit were assessed for smoke inhalation and taken to Singapore General Hospital, added SCDF.

It reminded members of the public not to purchase or use non-original batteries for their active mobility devices, including PMDs and power-assisted bicycles (PABs), and to not charge PMD/PAB batteries for an extended period of time or overnight.

In the first half of 2025, there were 20 fires involving PMDs, up from 10 in the same period in 2024.

In a Facebook post on Nov 5, Nee Soon GRC MP Syed Harun Alhabsyi lauded residents’ efforts in helping one another during the evacuation process.

“I spoke with the family and reassured them that our grassroot leaders, as well as colleagues from the Housing and Development Board and Nee Soon Town Council will do their best in supporting them in this time of difficulty,” Dr Syed Harun said.

“A few weeks ago, we had conducted our Emergency Preparedness Exercise at this same neighbourhood. This incident is a strong and timely reminder for all of us to stay vigilant, to learn first responder skills where we can and to continue looking out for one another.”