SINGAPORE – Four people were taken to hospital late on Jan 9 after a fire, likely caused by a personal mobility aid (PMA), broke out in Tampines HDB flat.

About 60 people from the affected block were evacuated as a precautionary measure.

Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it was alerted to the fire at Block 898 Tampines Street 81 at about 11.30pm on the same day.

The fire, involving contents of a living room in 12th-floor unit, was extinguished with one water jet.

Four people were assessed for smoke inhalation and taken to Singapore General Hospital.

“Preliminary findings indicate that the fire had likely originated from a personal mobility aid,” SCDF added.

Firefighters had been fighting a blaze that broke out in another Tampines HDB flat just two hours earlier.

About 100 people

were evacuated from Block 29 Tampines Street 86

as a precaution after the fire broke out in a bedroom on the 15th floor at around 9pm on Jan 9. A firefighter was taken to hospital after experiencing heat exhaustion.

PMA, such as motorised wheelchairs and three- or four-wheeled mobility scooters, are considered active mobility devices and are designed for those unable to walk or who have walking difficulties.

Minister of State for Transport Baey Yam Keng said in November 2025 that

LTA is considering tougher enforcement action

against the keeping, use and sale of non-compliant mobility devices.