Five Hospitalized in Whampoa Fire Started by Items Stored in HDB Corridor

A fire broke out at Block 20 Jalan Tenteram in Whampoa Heights on 29 May 2025, sending five people to hospital for smoke inhalation.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) received the alert at approximately 11.40am.

Firefighters from the Central Fire Station responded to the incident. Thick black plumes of smoke billowed into the air as flames were seen licking the second and third floors of the building.

Corridor Items Spark Blaze That Spreads to HDB Units

The fire involved items placed in the common corridors outside two units – one on the second floor and one on the third floor. The flames spread from these stored items into both affected flats.

SCDF personnel deployed two water jets to extinguish the blaze. The fire caused heat and soot damage to some neighbouring flats beyond the two primary units involved.

About 40 people were evacuated as a precaution during the incident. Police and SCDF officers cleared residents from the affected floors as a safety measure.

Five Residents Treated for Smoke Inhalation After Evacuation

Five people required hospital treatment following the fire. Two were taken to Singapore General Hospital, while two others went to Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

One person was sent to KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital. All five received treatment for smoke inhalation.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

SCDF reminded the public to help maintain a safe living environment by keeping common corridors, lift lobbies and staircases free of clutter.

A cluttered corridor can increase the risk of fire spread, hinder evacuation efforts and delay SCDF’s response during an emergency.

In 2021, a fire broke out in a nearby residential block, and 10 people were taken to hospital.

According to 2024 statistics released by SCDF, 968 residential fire calls were made in 2024, and 970 in 2023. The top two types of fires were those caused by unattended cooking and those of electrical origin.