Queenstown
flat catches fire after owner leaves fan on to keep pet dogs
cool
SINGAPORE - The owner of a Housing Board flat in Queenstown, who
allegedly kept the fan in his home switched on to ensure his two
pet dogs could keep cool in the heat, had his plan backfire on
Saturday (Jan 16) evening.
The three-room unit on the eighth floor of Block 169 Stirling
Road ended up catching fire, forcing 20 residents from nearby units
to evacuate the area for nearly an hour.
The owner, a man in his 40s, said he had switched on the fan
before leaving his house as the weather was hot and he wanted his
dogs to be comfortable.
A next-door neighbour told Chinese newspaper Shin Min Daily News
that he first detected a strong burnt smell at around 6.15pm.
Upon further investigation, he discovered smoke wafting out from
the flat and called the authorities.
A Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) spokesman said two fire
engines, a red rhino, an ambulance and a support vehicle were
dispatched to the scene.
SCDF personnel were forced to break open the main door to gain
entry into the flat, the spokesman said.
The fire was put out using a fire extinguisher, and no injuries
were reported.
Both dogs escaped unscathed bar being covered in soot, he
added.
SCDF said the fire involved a water cooling fan unit in the
living room. Investigations are ongoing.
According to a Shin Min reporter on the scene in the aftermath
of the fire, the ground outside the flat was covered with soot.
The extent of the damage in the flat's interior was not
known.
-- ST