SCDF puts out oil storage tank fire on Pulau Busing after 'intense' 6-hour battle
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Lydia Lam
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SINGAPORE - A blaze involving an oil storage tank on Pulau Busing, off the south-western coast of Singapore, was finally extinguished on Tuesday night (March 20) after six hours of what the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) described on Facebook as "intense firefighting operations".
There were no reported casualties.
SCDF had earlier described the incident as a "massive operation" involving 128 personnel and 31 firefighting and support vehicles.
In a final Facebook update at 1.39am, it said it was helped in its efforts by the Police Coast Guard, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, the Republic of Singapore Navy and the National Environment Agency.
"Mr K. Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law, was on the island for a first-hand account on the firefighting operations and to meet up with the SCDF Emergency Responders," said SCDF in the post.
In an earlier post, at about 11pm, SCDF said the firefighting operation was expected to be an extended one, with SCDF Commissioner Eric Yap briefing Permanent Secretary (Home Affairs) Pang Kin Keong about the complexity of the operations.
"SCDF Emergency Responders are working hand in hand with CERT members to carry out boundary cooling of the adjacent tanks," it said, referring to the Company Emergency Response Team. "They are also busy setting up the Large Monitors (Big Guns) to tackle the raging oil storage tank fire."
SCDF first said in a Facebook post at about 6.30pm that it had been alerted to the fire on the island, which lies next to Pulau Bukom and between Sentosa and Jurong Island.
Photos and videos showed dense plumes of smoke rising from the island, which is leased to petroleum storage company Tankstore.
At 7.33pm, SCDF said it had deployed resources to Pasir Panjang Ferry Terminal, where they would board a craft to Pulau Busing.
In an update at 8.36pm, SCDF said it was deploying even more resources to battle the fire.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) said it was monitoring air quality closely, especially in the south-western region of Singapore.
"The prevailing winds are currently blowing from the north-east and the air quality has remained in the Good to Moderate range, with no spikes in the PM2.5, sulphur dioxide and other air pollutant levels," said NEA in a statement.
"We will provide updates should there be changes in the air quality situation."
In a Facebook post the next morning, Mr Shamugam praised the SCDF, noting that the operation was a complex one, but was planned and executed well.
"SCDF had to be meticulous and precise in planning and operations - so that the fire appliances like foam monitors targeted the necessary areas," he wrote. "An incredible job by SCDF."
