SINGAPORE : A massive bush fire has engulfed an area the size of
10 football fields in Tampines.
The Civil Defence says it has recorded some 390 bush fires since
the start of this year, a record high.
Hundreds of residents watched in shock as the fire blazed through a
forested area near Tampines Street 43.
Over 50 firefighters struggled to douse the raging fire, which
started at about 6 pm, by using jet sprays and beating down smaller
fires.
Fortunately, residents were separated from the flames by a monsoon
drain.
Still, some were concerned.
"Suddenly from five metres it become until 100 metres now it's
until here, now coming inside already, spreading," one resident
said.
"I'm staying over at the block just behind so I'm much more
concerned about the smoke, whether it will reach over to the
residents," another said.
"There'll be some smoke coming over here, so breathing problems," a
third person said.
Late into the evening and the flames were still raging because of
the strong winds that caused the fire to spread.
Fortunately, there were no injuries, but the National Environment
Agency expects dry weather till the end of the month, and this
could possibly even mean more bush fires. - CNA