Elderly man sent to hospital after PMD-linked fire breaks out in Marsiling HDB unit
SCDF said that a preliminary investigation into the cause of the fire indicates that “it was of electrical origin from one of three PMD batteries, which were charging at the time of the fire”.
SINGAPORE — An elderly man was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation on Tuesday morning (Oct 1) after a fire broke out in a Housing and Development Board (HDB) flat, which was likely sparked by the charging batteries of a personal mobility device (PMD).
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said in a Facebook post that it had responded to a fire in a unit on the eleventh floor of Block 214 Marsiling Lane at 4.25am.
“The fire, which involved PMD batteries, was extinguished prior to SCDF's arrival by a house occupant using buckets of water,” the post read.
“An elderly man, who was also in the unit, was conveyed to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital for smoke inhalation.”
SCDF said that a preliminary investigation into the cause of the fire indicates that “it was of electrical origin from one of three PMD batteries, which were charging at the time of the fire”.
It also posted an infographic with fire safety tips to help prevent fires caused by PMDs and power-assisted bicycles.
SCDF has previously said that there were 54 reported fires involving mobility devices from January to June this year, more than double the 24 reported in the same period last year.
On July 18, a fire in a Bukit Batok HDB flat linked to e-scooters claimed the life of a 40-year-old man.
The authorities have stepped up regulations on PMDs in the wake of these fires. By July next year, all PMD users in Singapore have to comply with the UL2272 safety standard.
Up until March 31 next year, owners of PMDs who have yet to comply with this standard will be able to drop off their devices at designated disposal points across HDB estates islandwide or at the Land Transport Authority office in Sin Ming — at no cost.
