SINGAPORE – Public awareness of how to prevent and deal with residential fires needs to be raised, said Law Minister and Second Minister for Home Affairs Edwin Tong.
Amid an increase in the number of residential fires in Singapore, residents need to know what to do if such a fire break out, Mr Tong said at the launch of an initiative on March 29 to equip residents in his Joo Chiat ward with such skills.
A common mistake, for instance, is pouring water on a stove fire, but this can cause the fire to spread instead because of the presence of grease and oil.
He noted that there are many seniors in Joo Chiat who live alone and cook alone, and that fires can spread very quickly, especially in homes.
“That’s why it’s important for residents to be prepared and know what to do,” he said.
Mr Tong addressing residents during the event.
PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
Mr Tong’s remarks came as the number of fires rose to 2,050 cases in 2025, up from 1,990 cases the year before.
Over half of the fires occurred at residential buildings, with unattended cooking and electrical fires – including faults in electrical wiring or overloaded sockets – remaining the top two causes of such fires, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said in its annual statistics report on Feb 11.
There were six fire fatalities and 94 fire injuries in 2025, the SCDF noted in its latest report. There were seven fire fatalities and 80 fire injuries in 2024.
