Fire guts Toa Payoh flat; child and firefighter among seven conveyed to hospital

A flat in Toa Payoh was engulfed in flames on the afternoon of July 29, with thick black smoke billowing from its windows and fire spreading to the unit above. Three people were taken to hospital following the blaze.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said in a Facebook post that it was alerted to the fire at Block 229 Lorong 8 Toa Payoh at about 1.10pm.

"The fire was raging inside a unit on the 10th floor when firefighters arrived.In an update posted about an hour later, SCDF said the fire in the 10th-floor unit was brought under control with two water jets.

However, it had spread to the 11th floor unit.

"Firefighters conducted forcible entry into a unit on the 11th floor and are currently fighting a fire in the unit."

At 5.39pm, SCDF provided a third update, confirming that the fire had been extinguished.

Two individuals from the affected 10th-floor unit, along with three others from neighbouring flats, were assessed for smoke inhalation - one of whom also suffered burn injuries. All five were taken to Singapore General Hospital (SGH).

Additionally, a child from a neighbouring unit was assessed for smoke inhalation and conveyed to KK Women's and Children's Hospital.

SCDF also reported that one firefighter experienced fatigue and felt unwell during the operation. He was taken to SGH as a precaution.

When The New Paper visited the scene at 3.30pm, the block was cordoned off and crowds had gathered at the foot of the block.

Smoke continued to pour out of the 10th floor unit, while the 11th floor was visibly ablaze.

At the void deck, residents gathered in groups of two to three, anxiously discussing the situation.

An elderly woman was also seen being wheeled out of the flat by SCDF paramedics.

Temporary housing being arranged for affected households

Among those present was Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC MP Saktiandi Supaat, who arrived at about 2.45pm.

He said arrangements were being made for temporary housing until the damaged homes have been renovated.

"Temporary housing will be provided at some of the blocks nearby," he said.

He added that SCDF is in the midst of evacuating residents on higher floors. "Some of them (neighbours) are worried because some of the residents are upstairs, on the top floors."

Grassroots member Mr Maheason recounted how quickly the community reacted when the fire broke out. "One of the grassroots leaders immediately alerted everyone, saying there was a fire," he said.

"At 1.30pm, the fire was very intense. It was almost like a burning furnace. It started on the 10th floor. Now the 11th is on fire."

He added that grassroots members are planning to visit residents in neighbouring blocks and help coordinate food and temporary shelter for those displaced.

At a nearby void deck, grassroots leaders conducted a headcount of Block 229 residents, distributing bottled water and setting up chairs for the elderly.

While investigations are ongoing, some speculated that the fire may have started from an overheated hairdryer.

A third-floor resident of Block 229, who did not wish to be named, said her son alerted her of the incident, telling her not to come home.

"I went out early in the morning, so I wasn't at home when it happened," she said. "This is the first time something like this happened."

A ninth-floor resident, who also wished to remain anonymous, recounted the moment he realised something was wrong: "I didn't hear anything, but I smelt burning rubber, around 1pm.

"I told my wife and my grandchildren to get out of the house. I grabbed my handphone and wallet, and quickly came down the stairs.

"I informed three neighbours to come down quickly as well."

When asked about his reaction to the situation, he recalled feeling shocked as instincts took over. "My first thought was, 'We'd better get out of here.'

"We shut all the windows, turned off all the gas, and came down straight away."

Although the earlier commotion had subsided, the sense of unease lingered in the air.

"Everybody's scared, especially when it comes to a fire," the resident said, glancing around.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.