Parked car bursts into flames twice

A car in an HDB carpark burst into flames yesterday, prompting residents to hurriedly drive their vehicles away.

And after firefighters initially put out the blaze, the car burst into flames yet again.

The incident was witnessed by Mr Victor Lim, 46, a marketing manager who was having dinner with his family at their 11th-storey Paya Lebar Way HDB flat at about 6.40pm.

"We were eating when we heard loud popping sounds coming from the carpark below. We didn't think much until we heard people screaming," he said.

When Mr Lim went to his window and peered out, he saw that a silver Hyundai was on fire.

Mr Lim immediately called The New Paper hotline, before going to the foot of his block for a closer look.

EXPLOSIONS

He also heard two explosions coming from the car, drawing a crowd of curious onlookers and residents.

"The fire got very large and was giving off thick, black smoke. I felt bad for the owner watching the car burn," he said.

A man in a cap and a woman identified themselves as the owners of the car, but declined to comment.

Mr Lim said residents were also seen rushing to their vehicles parked near the burning car and driving away.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it dispatched two fire engines and two fire bikes to the scene after receiving a call for assistance at 6.40pm.

Firefighters put out the flames using a water jet and compressed air foam, said an SCDF spokesman.

No one was hurt, he added.

When The New Paper visited the scene at about 7pm, police had cordoned off the area around the car.

The front of the car was charred, with most of its engine melted.

The SCDF is investigating the cause of the fire.

We were eating when we heard loud popping sounds coming from the carpark below. We didn't think much until we heard people screaming.

- Mr Victor Lim, who witnessed the fire