{
  "id": 3392696,
  "title": "Fire breaks out in bedroom of Balestier apartment; no injuries reported",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/fire-breaks-out-in-bedroom-of-balestier-apartment-no-injuries-reported",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-26T01:02:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Straits Times",
    "slug": "straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/fire-breaks-out-in-bedroom-of-balestier-apartment-no-injuries-reported"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "At around 9:15 PM on August 25, Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) was alerted to a fire at 2 Ava Road in Balestier. Upon arrival, firefighters discovered the bedroom of a fourth-story apartment unit engulfed in flames. The blaze was swiftly extinguished using a water jet, with no reported injuries, according to SCDF. Chinese-language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao reported that over 70 residents were evacuated from the apartment. Video footage from Zaobao captured the intense black smoke emanating from the window of the affected unit as the fire intensified. Despite the fire being brought under control by 10 PM, the lingering odor of burning material filled the air, and the window displayed significant blackening. Emergency services, including five SCDF vehicles, three police cars, and a cordoned-off perimeter, responded to the scene. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fire.",
  "summary": "The fire was put out using a water jet, said SCDF.",
  "key_points": [
    "Fire ignited in bedroom of Balestier apartment at 9:15 PM on August 25",
    "SCDF extinguished blaze using water jet, no injuries reported",
    "Over 70 residents evacuated, investigation underway"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The swift response by firefighters prevented injuries and contained the damage, but the incident left a significant impact on the apartment building and its over 70 evacuated residents.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}