SINGAPORE – About 35 residents of an HDB block in Clementi were evacuated after a fire broke out on the evening of Aug 8.

       Preliminary investigations show that the fire is likely to have originated from the battery pack of a power-assisted bicycle (PAB) charging in a bedroom, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said in response to queries on Aug 9.

       SCDF was alerted to the fire at Block 706, Clementi West Street 2, at about 7.45pm.

       The fire, involving the contents of a bedroom in a 12th-floor unit, was extinguished by firefighters using a water jet.

       The occupants of the unit had evacuated on their own before SCDF arrived.

       No injuries were reported, said Mr Desmond Lee, an MP for West Coast GRC, in a Facebook post on Aug 9.

       SCDF said it assessed one person from a neighbouring unit for smoke inhalation but the person declined to be taken to hospital.

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       “SCDF would like to remind the public not to leave personal mobility device (PMD) or PAB batteries charging for an extended period of time, or charging them overnight. In addition, do not purchase or use non-original batteries,” it said.

       Mr Lee said he visited the affected site to check in with the West Coast Town Council team who had worked through the night to restore power to the affected unit and the neighbouring homes.

       “They will try to keep noise to a minimum, and we seek residents’ patience and understanding,” said Mr Lee, who is also Minister for National Development.

       More fires involving active mobility devices (AMDs) took place in 2023 compared with the year before.

       Fires involving PMDs, PABs and personal mobility aids increased by 31 per cent to 55 cases in 2023, up from 42 in 2022.

       SCDF advised PMD and PAB users to regularly examine their devices’ batteries for any sign of damage or deformities such as bloating, corrosion or powdery residue.

       These users should use a power adapter that carries the safety mark and is recommended by the manufacturer.

       They should charge the PAB or PMD on a hard, flat surface to allow optimal dissipation of heat.