Van catches fire outside Paragon, no one injured

A van caught fire outside Paragon Shopping Centre on Orchard Road on Monday. No one was injured. -- ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
A van caught fire outside Paragon Shopping Centre on Orchard Road on Monday. No one was injured. -- ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN

SINGAPORE - A van caught fire near a taxi stand outside Paragon Shopping Centre in Orchard Road on Monday. No one was injured.

A Singapore Civil Defence Force(SCDF) spokesman said that they received a call alerting them to the incident at about 11.10am. The fire was extinguished using one water jet. The cause of the fire is being investigated.

The number of vehicle fires has been climbing. In the first half of 2014, 114 vehicles caught fire, 20 per cent more than in the same period last year. The total number of vehicle fires at the end of last year was 218 - a 20 per cent increase from 202 in 2012. Cars contributed most to the figures in 2013, and vans came in second.

In releasing its statistics, the SCDF said that most of the fires occurred while the vehicles were travelling on the road and were caused by ignition sources such as electrical faults and overheating within the engine compartment. The SCDF also said that most vehicle fires start small but can develop rapidly due to the presence of flammables such as petrol, diesel and lubricants.

The SCDF advised vehicle owners to service their vehicles regularly at authorised vehicle workshops, and to ensure during each session that the vehicle's electrical, engine and fuel systems are checked for any defect. Owners should also equip their vehicles with a fire extinguisher.

jalmsab@sph.com.sg

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