SINGAPORE - A fire broke out at a Housing and Development Board (HDB) block in Chai Chee Avenue on Sept 5 , resulting in three people being taken to hospital an d prompting the evacuation of about 50 residents .

The Singapore Civil Defence Force said it was alerted to a fire at Block 31 Chai Chee Avenue at about 11.05pm .

“Upon arrival, the living room of an eighth-floor unit was on fire,” SCDF added.

The fire was extinguished with a water jet, and there was no one inside the unit when SCDF arrived, it added.

Three people from neighbouring units were assessed for smoke inhalation, two of whom were taken to Changi General Hospital. The third person was taken to Singapore General Hospital.

A firefighter was also assessed for smoke inhalation and taken to SGH.

“About 50 persons from the affected block were evacuated by the Police and SCDF as a precautionary measure,” the SCDF said, adding that the cause of the fire is being investigated.

East Coast GRC MP Tan Kiat How expressed thanks to the SCDF, the East Coast Town Council team and grassroots volunteers for assisting affected residents.

He said that they had opened up the residents’ network centre for seniors to rest, provided drinks and snacks, as well as assisted residents with mobility challenges.

“TC (town council) team was also on hand to restore electricity and water to affected units, and are helping to clean up the common spaces,” he added. “We will also repaint the facade of the building.”

Mr Tan said that temporary accommodation has been arranged for residents whose flats have been badly affected.

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