'Fire hazard': TikTok clip of Hungry Ghost Festival ritual sparks debate online

Traditional Chinese practices to honour the dead are sparking debate yet again, with a viral TikTok clip of a Hungry Ghost Festival ritual raising public safety and environmental concerns, as well as the need to respect religious practices.

Filmed from the front seat of a car, the nine-second clip captures paper offerings scattered on the road, with ashes billowing in the sky.

The camera pans to the left, exposing the source of the pollution: a metal cage used to burn joss paper as part of the annual Hungry Ghost Festival.

Posted by user Chotic Panda on Aug 31, the video racked up 158,000 views in just a day.

The traditional Chinese festival, observed by Buddhist and Taoist devotees to remember the deceased, typically involves burning of paper offerings in cages set up outside housing estates and temples.

As the clip of the blaze - believed to be near 963 Upper Serangoon Road - continues, a man dressed in black is seen tossing more joss paper into the fire, some of which gets caught by the wind and blown away.

Netizens express disapproval

At press time, the clip had gained more than 700 comments, with some netizens adamant that the large-scale burning of joss papers were a "fire hazard".

One netizen urged greater civic responsibility: "No burning please. Consideration to the environment, public area, and people who have to clean up after."

"There are so many people and children passing by, very dusty and uncomfortable," another remarked.

One netizen questioned the placement of the metal cage: "I think the bin location can be improved. Some are even next to the HDB loading and unloading bay. And it's a risk to people nearby."

Others call for mutual understanding

But some users defended the ritual, emphasizing the importance of respecting religious practices.

One netizen advised: "Respect all religions. Praying is a good thing but don't make others uneasy and uncomfortable.

"Perhaps there are new and better ways to perform the prayer."

Another brushed off the criticism, commenting: "Ok, it happens once a year, not like this happens every Friday."

In July, a large fire, apparently part of funeral rituals, was spotted by the roadside in Sengkang and raised similar concerns.

The New Paper has reached out to the National Environment Agency (NEA) for comment.