Fire at Marina Bay area put out
SINGAPORE : Several loud explosions rocked the Marina Bay
area on Thursday afternoon, prompting a few witnesses to call the
MediaCorp news hotline.
Dark plumes of smoke caught the attention of office workers in the
buildings near Marina Boulevard. They also heard several loud
explosions and saw flames shooting into the air.
"I saw some smoke coming from that direction over there, followed
by a massive explosion. All the explosions were actually preceded
by the surge of fire. The third one was the highest one; it went up
to about 20 feet or so," said Ong Teck Chye, an office worker in
UIC building.
Those on the ground nearest the explosion said they even saw a gas
cylinder shoot into the sky from the impact.
"I saw the smoke come up, then the explosion, and one of the (gas)
cylinders flew up to (about) 100 metres... It was very high," said
one member of the public.
The incident took place at about 2:40pm. The fire erupted after 18
acetylene cylinders fell off a truck as it was rounding a sharp
bend along Marina Way.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said five acetylene
cylinders ruptured, causing the fire. Acetylene is commonly used in
cutting and welding works.
SCDF officers brought the flames under control within 10 minutes.
No one was injured in the incident.
- CNA /ls
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