askST: What to do in the event of a fire at home
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In 2025 so far, at least eight fire-related deaths have been reported.
ST PHOTO: DESMOND FOO
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SINGAPORE – The number of people dying in fires in Singapore has been going up.
There were three such deaths in 2023 and five in 2024.
In 2025 so far, at least eight fire-related deaths have been reported.
Two of the deaths were from a fire that broke out in a Bukit Merah flat on Aug 13
Q: What should you do if a fire breaks out in your home?
A: In the event of a fire, do not panic.
Instead, alert others by shouting, and evacuate the room or area.
Call 995 and activate the nearest fire alarm.
If possible, close the door of the affected room to contain the fire and turn off the gas mains if you can reach them.
You should attempt to fight the fire only if you can do so without endangering yourself or others.
Ways to extinguish a fire include using a suitable fire extinguisher or hose reel.
If the room is smoke-logged, cover your nose and mouth with a wet cloth and avoid inhaling through the mouth.
Get down, keep close to the ground and crawl towards the point of escape under the smoke.
If you are trapped, get to a safe room that preferably has open windows, good ventilation and overlooks a road.
Shut the door and seal the gap beneath it with fabric to prevent smoke from entering the room.
Get to the window and shout for help. Do not attempt to jump out of the building.
If your clothes catch fire, drop to the floor immediately and roll from side to side to smother the flames while covering your face.
During evacuation, head to the ground floor in an orderly manner using the stairs. Do not use the lift.
If you live in a super high-rise residential building with more than 40 storeys and are too far from the ground floor, proceed to the nearest refuge floor instead.
Q: What is a refuge floor?
A: A refuge floor is a special floor that serves as a safe holding area so residents do not have to travel many floors down to leave the building in case of a fire.
Refuge floors are generally provided at an interval of not more than 20 storeys.
They are designed to have natural ventilation and are made of fire-resistant materials.
Such floors can be identified by “Evacuee Holding Area” signs found on the walls around the staircase areas.
Q: What should you do when there is a fire in your neighbour’s home?
A: If your neighbour’s home is on fire, alert others by shouting, and call 995.
You can try to help your neighbours escape, but should do so only if it does not risk your own safety
If intending to enter the affected unit to help, you should also ensure that you are wearing appropriate footwear as there may be shattered glass that cracked from the heat.
Those on the same floor and the two floors above an affected unit should evacuate.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force said it is generally safe for occupants of the other floors to remain in their own units with the windows and doors closed. But they should follow the instructions of the authorities if they say evacuation is required.
Q: What are some fire safety guidelines you can follow?
A: Common corridors must have at minimum a 1.2m-wide clear passage that is to be unobstructed at all times.
Placing or storing objects at staircases and staircase landings is strictly not allowed.
Items should also not be placed within riser and hose reel compartments.
Access to the landing valves and risers at common areas must not be obstructed.
The fire alarm system must be kept on at all times.
Fire safety equipment must be regularly serviced and maintained.
Q: What can you do to prevent fires?
A: Do not leave cooking unattended. Turn off cooking appliances and unplug them when not in use.
Keep flammable products and combustible materials away from heat sources.
Do not throw burning embers and cigarette butts into rubbish chutes.
Do not place window curtains or combustible materials near prayer altars, stoves or lighted materials.
Keep lighted candles away from paper or cardboard decorations, curtains and furnishings.
Do not overload electrical outlets. Switch off electrical appliances when they are not in use.
Check for broken wires and exposed wiring. If any are found, have the wires replaced immediately.
Keep lighters, matches and candles away from children.
Do not leave batteries or devices to charge unattended for an extended period of time or overnight.
Do not tamper with, modify, or attempt to repair batteries or devices on your own. Stop using the battery if you notice any damage or deformities.
Keep entryways, common corridors and staircases free from obstructions.
You can also use the Home Fire Safety Checker
Fatal fires in 2025
As at August, eight people have died in four fires in 2025. This is an average of one fire death per month.
Family of three die in Hougang fire in January
No foul play was suspected.
ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
A family of three died in a fire
The bodies of the couple and their 18-year-old daughter were found inside one of the bedrooms.
Neighbours had described the family as hoarders who lived in a cluttered five-room flat.
No foul play was suspected.
Australian girl dies after River Valley cooking school fire in April
The fire broke out on April 8 at a shophouse in River Valley Road where education and enrichment classes for children are conducted.
ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
A 10-year-old Australian girl died in hospital
Another 21 people, consisting of six adults and 15 children, were injured.
The authorities later said there were fire safety breaches
Two die in Toa Payoh fire in July
The cause of the fire is being investigated.
PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
A man and woman were found dead
Firefighters had found them unresponsive inside the unit and they were pronounced dead at the scene after being carried out.
The cause of the fire is being investigated.
Couple die in Bukit Merah fire on Aug 13
The aftermath of the fire on Aug 13.
ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
A couple in their 30s were found unconscious
Both were taken to hospital, where they died.
Foul play is not suspected, and preliminary investigations suggest the fire may have started from a battery pack
