Fire in Eunos industrial building put out after over 5 hours; 2 firefighters taken to hospitals

02/11/2025 3 Views

SINGAPORE – A fire that broke out at the Eunos Industrial Estate on Nov 1 was extinguished after 5½ hours, with damping-down operations set to continue through the night.

No injuries were reported, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said in an initial Facebook post at about 6pm on Nov 1, adding that the blaze was at 1079 Eunos Avenue 7.

In an updated post at 11.15pm, SCDF said a firefighter was assessed for suspected smoke inhalation and taken to Singapore General Hospital. Another firefighter who felt unwell was taken to Changi General Hospital.

In an update on Nov 2, SCDF said both firefighters have since been discharged and given four-day and three-day medical leave respectively.

Earlier on Nov 1, SCDF said it was alerted to the fire at about 5.30pm, and that it was extinguished at about 11pm.

The fire, which involved building materials and office equipment, had engulfed three workshop units. The fourth unit was partially affected at the roof area, but firefighters managed to prevent the fire from spreading further.

Sixteen emergency vehicles and about 60 firefighters were deployed.

The blaze pictured at about 7.30pm on Nov 1.

ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY

At the height of the operation, SCDF surrounded the affected units using two water jets, two water monitors, an aerial monitor and two firefighting machines to contain the fire.

It added that damping-down operations are expected to continue through the night.

Damping down refers to the application of water to wet burnt surfaces immediately after a fire is put out. It is to prevent any potential rekindle of fire from the hot burnt surfaces.

SCDF had said in a 9.40pm update that it had deployed two firefighting machines to minimise risks to firefighters as the structure of the affected premises was unstable.

Residents in the nearby areas, including Mountbatten and Eunos, received an alert from the Ministry of Home Affairs to avoid the area.

A factory worker from a neighbouring building who wanted to be known only as Mr Raju said he was leaving at around 5pm when he heard people shouting that there was a fire from the affected industrial building.

“I’ve worked in this building five years, and I’ve seen three fires across the industrial estate here. This is the biggest so far,” said the 37-year-old.

Some of the people who were evacuated from the industrial building that was affected by the fire.

ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY

According to Google Maps, a metal fabricator and a firm manufacturing doors are among companies located in the affected building.

When The Straits Times tried contacting the companies, only the metal fabricator, System & Parts Engineering, responded. A representative said the fire did not affect its premises, but affected Best Doors.

When ST arrived at the scene at about 5.50pm, thick smoke was seen billowing out of a unit as workers in the vicinity were being evacuated.

A fire engine and an additional SCDF vehicle with a tanker attached were spotted, while a police officer did a headcount of workers there.

At about 7.20pm, part of a factory wall collapsed with a loud bang as firefighting works were ongoing.

A group of workers were told by police officers at about 9pm that they were now allowed to leave the scene.

A 43-year-old events organiser who wanted to be known only as Ms Hannah said she was in the Bartley Road area when she and her husband saw tall columns of smoke.

They headed to the scene at about 5.30pm.

Said Ms Hannah: “The roof was still intact when we got here, now it has disintegrated. The fire was initially only on one side of the building, and now it has spread across.”

Ms Stella Liu, a 28-year-old sales worker, said she had walked out of the building because she initially thought the fire was a small one when she heard shouts.

“All my documents like work permit and passport have all been burnt in the fire,” said Ms Liu, who was seen heading home at around 9.30pm with colleagues armed with bags of chicken rice and canned drinks that their boss bought for them.