Three cars burnt after explosions in Toa Payoh multi-storey carpark

An SCDF spokesman said a fire engine and red rhino were dispatched to put out the fire within 10 minutes, using a water jet. -- PHOTO: COURTESY OF ANDREA LEK
An SCDF spokesman said a fire engine and red rhino were dispatched to put out the fire within 10 minutes, using a water jet. -- PHOTO: COURTESY OF ANDREA LEK
Miss Andrea Lek said she heard three loud booms, followed by five or six more explosions while she was watching the fire. -- PHOTO: COURTESY OF ANDREA LEK
No one was injured in the incident, on deck 3A of the carpark, according to the Singapore Civil Defence Force. -- PHOTO: COURTESY OF ANDREA LEK
Alarmed residents left their homes to see if their cars had been affected by the blasts, which happened just before 3am. -- PHOTO: COURTESY OF ANDREA LEK
Unidentified bystanders with a car that was engulfed in the fire. -- PHOTO: SHIN MIN

SINGAPORE - A multi-storey carpark in Toa Payoh Lorong 1 was rocked by a series of explosions early on Saturday morning.

Three parked cars were engulfed in a raging fire, believed to have been sparked by an explosion in one of the vehicles before spreading.

No one was injured in the incident, which occurred on deck 3A of the carpark, according to the Singapore Civil Defence Force.

Alarmed residents left their homes to see if their cars had been affected by the blasts, which happened just before 3am.

Miss Andrea Lek was relaxing by her condo pool, located in front of the carpark, when she heard three loud booms.

"I went out (of the condo) to see what happened, and the fire was already raging, there was thick black smoke," said the graduate student, 27.

Miss Lek, who called the police, said she heard five or six more loud explosions while she was watching the fire.

"By then there were more than 10 residents downstairs. We could see the fire reaching the ceiling."

An SCDF spokesman said a fire engine and red rhino were dispatched and put out the fire within 10 minutes, using a water jet.

When The Sunday Times visited the scene in the afternoon, the ceilings of the carpark were black with soot.

Even though the affected cars had been removed, there was still an acrid tang of burnt rubber in the air.

Nearby cars were covered with a thin layer of ash.

The SCDF said it is investigating the cause of the fire.

dansonc@sph.com.sg

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