Police probing fireworks incident in Jurong West

A 23-second video shows fireworks being launched from between two Housing Board blocks in Jurong West Street 73. PHOTO: SG ROAD VIGILANTE/FACEBOOK
A 23-second video shows fireworks being launched from between two Housing Board blocks in Jurong West Street 73. PHOTO: SG ROAD VIGILANTE/FACEBOOK

The police are investigating the discharge of fireworks in Jurong West Street 73 on Sunday night.

Although no injuries were reported, the police said those found guilty could be jailed for up to two years, fined between $2,000 and $10,000, or both.

In a 23-second video posted on alternative news site All Singapore Stuff's Facebook page yesterday morning, fireworks were seen to have been launched from between two Housing Board blocks, as residents in a nearby block watched from the corridor.

The fireworks reached as high as the 12th storey of a nearby block, even ricocheting against the walls of the building.

Another 15-second video, posted on the same Facebook page, showed fireworks launched from an open space in front of some buildings, although it was hard to tell if this was the same incident depicted in the other video.

In their statement, the police warned members of the public that it is an offence to possess, sell, transport, send, deliver, distribute or import any dangerous fireworks. "The police have zero tolerance against acts that endanger the lives or safety of others as well as cause undue alarm to the public, and will not hesitate to take action against those who blatantly disregard the law," they said.

The Government banned fireworks in 1972 following public safety concerns, although it has in recent years granted permission for their use at certain events after appropriate safety measures have been adopted.

In March, cleaner Alagappan Singaram, 54, became the first person to be convicted under the Dangerous Fireworks Act. He was fined $5,000 after admitting to setting off fireworks in Bukit Batok with his son in November last year.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 29, 2019, with the headline Police probing fireworks incident in Jurong West. Subscribe