Dryer apparently catches fire in Tampines HDB flat, 4 occupants escape

A dryer inside a Tampines Housing and Development Board (HDB) flat allegedly overheated and ignited, forcing four occupants to hastily evacuate the unit. The fire wreaked havoc on the kitchen and living room of the 13th-floor apartment in Block 714, Tampines Street 71, according to Shin Min Daily News. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) confirmed receiving an alarm about the blaze at around 4:45pm on October 18.

The fire's origin was traced to the contents of the kitchen and service yard. Four individuals were evacuated before the SCDF's arrival, and they were aided by neighbours who had been alerted by the tenants. There were no injuries reported, and the cause of the fire is currently under investigation. The dryer's owner, Zhuo, told Shin Min that he and four tenants were residing in the unit, though he was not present when the fire started.

He learned of the incident after receiving a call from one of his tenants who reported smoke and flames emanating from the dryer. Despite Zhuo's attempts to extinguish the flames using water, the fire escalated too rapidly, necessitating an evacuation. Zhuo explained that the dryer had been in use for approximately two hours when the incident occurred.

Neighbors below the apartment reported seeing white smoke and a burning smell before being instructed to evacuate by rescue personnel. The SCDF's investigation into the incident lasted until around 9pm that evening before the cordon was lifted. Residents are advised by the SCDF not to leave cooking unattended and to maintain cleanliness in their kitchens to prevent fires.

Additionally, they are urged to avoid overloading power sockets or charging devices overnight without supervision and to fully extinguish any lighted materials before disposing of them.