PMD Caught Fire in Woodlands Lift, Causing Man to Suffer from Severe Burn Injuries

Before 2020, fires involving personal mobility devices (PMDs) were becoming rather commonplace.

Thanks to the tougher restrictions on the use of PMDs, however, the number of PMD-related fires have gone down.

We’re not out of the woods yet, though, as yet another such fire took place recently.

PMD Caught Fire in Woodlands Lift, Causing Man to Suffer from Severe Burn Injuries

A man was severely injured after a fire broke out in a lift at Block 537 Woodlands Drive 16 last night (3 June).

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it responded to the fire at about 11.25pm on the second floor of the block.

Fortunately, the fire was extinguished by members of the public using buckets of water before the SCDF arrived.

It added that a person was conveyed to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital with severe burn injuries.

Around 90 residents from the affected block were also evacuated by the Police as a precautionary measure.

“Preliminary investigation into the cause of the fire indicates that it was of electrical origin from a Personal Mobility Device (PMD),” SCDF said in a Facebook post.

PMD Fires Went Down By Nearly 60% in 2020

In 2019, fires involving PMDs hit a record high, as a total of 102 fires were found to be caused by the device.

Ever since the footpath ban was introduced in September that year, however, the number of PMD-related fires have dropped.

In fact, thanks to tougher restrictions, the number of such fires went down by 58.8% to 42 last year.

While the number of fires caused by Power Assisted Bicycles (PABs) doubled in 2020, the number of overall fires linked to active mobility devices decreased by 40.9%.

Fire Safety Tips for PMDs & PABs

In a Facebook post, SCDF reminded the public that non-UL2272 PMDs and any form of modifications to PMDs pose a fire risk and threaten public safety.

“Owners of these devices are strongly encouraged to dispose of their devices at the appropriate recyclers,” it said.

From now till 30 June 2021, you may dispose of your PMDs at any KGS Pte Ltd collection point at no cost. Head here to find out more.

SCDF also included an infographic in its post, sharing important fire safety tips with netizens:

An expert who spoke to CNA earlier this year also gave the following recommendations to prevent such fires from breaking out:

1. Promptly replace any faulty adapters or chargers
2. Regularly examine batteries for damage or deformities
3. Do not modify PMDs
4. Avoid exposing it to water

Featured Image: Facebook (SCDF)