3 Suspected PMD-Related Fire Incidents in 3 Days Cause Worry

Perhaps you clicked here with the question, “PMD accident again?”

Yes, Personal Mobility Device (PMD) accident again.

At this point, I probably need an extra pair of hands to count all these PMD hoo-has. Fires, crashes, and people intentionally hurting others with PMDs.

Today though, we’re here to talk about the former: the big f-word.

I wouldn’t get too fired up about more accidents though.

Circuit Road Incident

If my weekend was anything like what I’m going to show you, I’d probably be terrified.

On 14 September, 3.35pm, the Singapore Civil Defence Force was alerted to a fire at a seventh-floor unit at Block 85 Circuit Road.

A spokesman from SCDF said that the cause of the fire likely came from the battery of a Power Assisted Bicycle (PAB).

Residents in the area have, understandably, been getting more worried as claims that PMD and PAB related fires have been growing more common.

And people wonder why we have a task force for this now?

Point extremely proven.

According to The New Paper, Madam Kamaliah Abdul Ghani, 58, called the police when she heard the explosion. She then fled with her father and son.

“I am so scared now, more than ever, as it (a PMD fire) happened right beside me,’ she mentioned.

Her husband claimed that the PMDs are not a problem, but only when certain parts are modified.

Which I think is a good reminder to note: modifying PMDs are illegal by the way.

The thought of it going kaboom because of your whack mods doesn’t help either.

Two More Incidents

So uh…yeah, things don’t get much better. Two more cases will explain why.

Less than a day before the Circuit Road incident, on 13 September, SCDF responded to a fire in an 11th storey unit in Block 120B, Rivervale Drive at 4.10pm.

It was so bad that the owner was taken to Singapore General Hospital for smoke inhalation, yikes.

And as you may have guessed, SCDF indicates that the origin of it may have come from a PMD as well.

The third incident occurred along Geylang Lorong 4, which caused major damages to two third-storey shophouse units on 15 September.

Thank goodness that no one was hurt and that 20 people were successfully evacuated as well. Foreign workers who stayed there were also reallocated new housing areas.

Chinese language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao reported that the fire started from a PMD that was being charged. Surprise.

Interesting (scary) fact once again: the number of PMD and PAB related fires went up to 54 during January to June this year, an increase from the 24 cases last year during the same time.

So please, PLEASE guys, don’t do stupid things to your PMDs and keep them in regulation. This definitely isn’t the kind of fire my life is needing right now.