SINGAPORE : The number of fire incidences has dipped to its lowest level in 10 years.

There were 2,273 fires over the first six months of this year.

This was a decrease of 119 cases or 5 percent lower than the same period last year.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said the number of fires can be reduced if the public played its part.

"People need to be more cautious when they throw cigarette butts or even charcoal ambers down the rubbish chute. There have been cases where people throw down lit candles and incense sticks. If they didn't do that, then these rubbish fires could have been easily prevented," said Major Gobiselvan, SCDF.

However, SCDF said the number of calls for its ambulance service increased significantly, by a whopping 16 percent.

For the first six months of this year, there were 53,886 calls.

This was an increase of 7,424 from the same period last year. - CNA /ls