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Woman's washing machine emits smoke, catches fire & 'explodes' in Tampines flat
The fire was big enough for other neighbours to notice and evacuate.
Gracia Yap
February 27, 2026, 01:12 AM
A woman was doing her laundry using her washing machine in her Tampines flat when it suddenly emitted smoke and caught fire.Shin Min Daily News reported that the woman immediately fled her unit
Her six-year-old washing machine apparently "exploded" shortly after, she claimed.
Tampines unit
The incident occurred at about 1:30pm on Feb. 25, 2026 at a four-room flat at Block 226 Tampines Street 23, Shin Min reported.Black smoke was emitted due to the fire.
Residents even gathered at the foot of the block following the fire.
The homeowner, Lin (transliteration), told Shin Min reporters that the washing machine was about six years old.
The fire originated from the inside of the washing machine, she claimed.
Smoke, fire
Lin added that she was cooking curry in the kitchen when the washing machine near her began emitting smoke.She first used a bamboo pole to turn off the switch.
She then unplugged it.
However, she ran out of the kitchen when she saw that the washing machine was still on fire
Following the commotion, neighbours appeared and offered their assistance, Shin Min reported, adding that they eventually had to leave as the unit was filled with thick smoke.
Lin added that two "explosions" were subsequently heard coming from the unit.
Aftermath
Following the fire, the kitchen ceiling of the affected apartment became charred and glass shards were scattered all over the floor.Items on the kitchen cabinet and table largely remained unaffected.
Parts of the living room ceiling had burnt marks and water could be observed in the unit after the fire was put out.
Helpful neighbours
A 49-year-old man who lived on the third floor of the same block rushed to the fifth floor to provide assistance.The man and Lin used a bucket to collect water from the master bedroom toilet of Lin's unit, but could not extinguish the fire as it grew stronger.
They eventually left the scene due to the limited visibility.
Around six or seven residents also offered their assistance when the fire broke out.
Among them was a 24-year-old man, who previously served as a firefighter during national service.
He retrieved a fire extinguisher and attempted to put the fire out.
Residents also helped carry a 90-year-old woman in a wheelchair out of her home and down the stairs and into the lift when they saw the fire.
Extinguished
Responding to Mothership's queries, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) confirmed they were alerted at about 1:45pm on Feb. 25, 2026 to a fire at Block 226 Tampines Street 23, which involved a washing machine in the kitchen of a unit on the fifth floor.SCDF extinguished the fire using a water jet.
There were no reported injuries and the cause of the fire is still under investigation, said SCDF.
Top photos via Shin Min Daily News
