Everything About The Serious AMK Fire That Happened Just Yesterday

On 5 July, a huge fire broke out at Block 720 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6.

It was a four-storey building with a mix of residential units and shops. There was also a hawker centre located right next to it.

About 19 vehicles and 60 firefighters were deployed to the scene.

According to the SCDF, they were alerted to the incident at about 3.45 pm.

First Floor Totally Engulfed in Flames

When the SCDF arrived at the scene of the fire, the ground floor of the block was engulfed in flames.

Thick black smoke was billowing towards residential units. The SCDF quickly deployed to surround the fire and bring it under control.

Residents nearby, including children from a learning centre were evacuated immediately.

The fire was finally brought back under control by 4.30 pm.

Eight Sent To Hospital, Multiple Explosions Heard

It was reported that eight people were sent to the hospital with burn injuries and smoke inhalation.

One of which was an SCDF officer.

Thankfully, there were no life-threatening injuries from this incident.

A property agent, Daniel Goh, who was having coffee nearby said that he heard “multiple explosions”.

It Started From A Hardware Shop

An eyewitness, Mr Jeff Goh, who works at a salon nearby said that there was a lot of shouting, and that white smoke was seen “billowing out of a hardware shop”.

The shop had reportedly sold items like paint and thinner.

He added that the “white smoke became black”, and that strong winds helped intensify the smokey situation.

According to Ang Mo Kio resident Prabagaran Priya Ganesh who was shopping at the ABC discount store with his girlfriend Mageshwari Kamala Vickeshwari, the fire started at the back of the hardware shop.

He said that the fire was “really small at first”, and that someone managed to put it out with a fire extinguisher.

However, a few minutes later, the fire started again and got bigger.

Thick, dark smoke could be seen from as far as 1km away at Anderson Secondary School.

Assistance Will Be Provided

Ang Mo Kio GRC Member of Parliament (MP) Koh Poh Koon said that the Housing Development Board (HDB) is ready to offer alternative housing arrangements to evacuated residents should they need it.

“If they don’t have family or friends to house them… we are prepared to give them temporary accommodations at least for the night and for however long it takes (for them) to enter their flats back safely.”

Affected unit owners will also be kept updated on the situation.

It was added that the Merchants and Hawkers Association will be coordinating support for stall owners.

Town Council cleaners are also on standby to help with clearance work.

Netizens and eyewitnesses were praising the effectiveness and responsiveness of the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).