Firefighter taken to hospital after feeling unwell while putting out blaze in Boon Lay HDB flat

SINGAPORE – A firefighter was taken to the hospital after he felt unwell while putting out a blaze in a Boon Lay Housing Board flat on July 24.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it was alerted to a kitchen fire in the flat on the fifth floor of Block 197D Boon Lay Drive at about 6.20pm.

Firefighters put out the blaze with a water jet and a hose reel, said SCDF.

During the operation, a firefighter experienced fatigue and felt unwell. He was assessed by a paramedic and taken to the Ng Teng Fong General Hospital for further checks, SCDF said.

He has since been discharged and has been given three days of medical leave.

According to preliminary investigations, the fire was likely caused by unattended cooking, said SCDF.

Fires due to unattended cooking were the top cause of home fires in 2024

, making up 35 per cent of reports received by SCDF.

“SCDF would like to remind the public not to leave any cooking or heating activities unattended, and any gas or electric supply should be switched off when not in use,” it said.

Education Minister Desmond Lee, an MP for West Coast-Jurong West GRC, arrived at the scene at about 8pm to speak with affected residents, reported Shin Min Daily News on July 25.

A resident told the Chinese evening paper that a couple in their 60s lived in the flat that caught fire.

Online images and videos of the blaze show residents gathered near a playground at the foot of the block, looking at smoke billowing out of the affected flat.

Several residents appear to be taking photos and videos of the scene on their mobile phones.