SINGAPORE \u2013 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.<\/p>\n
Amid an increase in the number of residential fires<\/span><\/a> 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s why it\u2019s important for residents to be prepared and know what to do,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Mr Tong\u00a0addressing residents during the event.<\/p>\n PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Mr Tong\u2019s remarks came as the number of fires rose to 2,050 cases in 2025, up from 1,990 cases the year before.\u00a0<\/p>\n Over half of the fires occurred at residential buildings, with unattended cooking and electrical fires \u2013 including faults in electrical wiring or overloaded sockets \u2013 remaining the top two causes of such fires, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said in its annual statistics report on Feb 11.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n At the Joo Chiat Emergency Preparedness Day, about 300 residents were taught by SCDF officers to use a fire extinguisher through live firefighting demonstrations.<\/p>\n Those who attended the event at Kampung Siglap Lifeskills Training and Retreat Centre were also taught to carry out cardiopulmonary resuscitation and how to use an automated external defibrillator \u2013 a medical device designed to save lives during sudden cardiac arrest.<\/p>\n Those who attended the event were also taught to carry out cardiopulmonary resuscitation and how to use an Automated External Defibrillator.<\/p>\n PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Attendees received packs with items such as a waterproof dry bag, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, portable fan, torch and power bank.<\/p>\n The programme will be rolled out across Joo Chiat with the aim of reaching at least 3,000 households, the Joo Chiat Constituency Office said on March 29.<\/p>\n Mr Tong engaging with residents and leading family members in fighting fire at the Hands-on Firefighting Station.<\/p>\n PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n It added that similar emergency preparedness exercises are being explored for other East Coast GRC divisions \u2013 Kampong Chai Chee, Changi Simei, Bedok and Fengshan.<\/p>\n Joo Chiat resident Josephine Ng, 54, said she never thought about getting a fire extinguisher for her home.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought it was bulky and wasn\u2019t sure how much it cost. But I\u2019m glad to receive one now,\u201d said the special needs teacher who attended the event with her 15-year-old son.<\/p>\n Although Ms Ng had learnt how to use a fire extinguisher in the past, she said the event was a good refresher. \u201cIf you don\u2019t have the muscle memory, it\u2019s difficult to know what to do in the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n Retired teacher Azizah Mohd, 62, said she learnt to use a fire extinguisher about 10 years ago but has since forgotten how to use it.<\/p>\n After participating in a live demonstration, she said it was not as difficult as she thought. \u201cIt\u2019s a good skill to have, to deal with emergencies inside and outside my home,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n The event came after recent fires in eateries here.<\/p>\n On March 26, a fire broke out in Bukit Merah View Market and Hawker Centre<\/span><\/a>, causing significant damage to three stalls.<\/p>\n<\/picture><\/div>
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