Fatal Incident in Hougang
On Thursday, January 9, a devastating fire broke out in a Housing Board block in Hougang, resulting in the tragic deaths of three individuals. The fire led to the evacuation of around 30 residents from the first seven floors of the 15-storey building.

Victims Found in Bedroom
According to the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), two of the victims were discovered inside a bedroom of a unit on the third floor. Later in the day, SCDF confirmed the discovery of a third body in another bedroom.

Firefighters Face Obstacles

Firefighters encountered difficulty entering the affected unit due to the significant amount of belongings inside. Despite these challenges, they successfully carried out their operations to contain the fire.

Evacuations and Rescue Operations

The SCDF was alerted to the fire around 12:40 pm. With the assistance of the police, residents on the first to seventh floors were evacuated as a precautionary measure. The fire was successfully extinguished by 3:15 pm, and several animals, including a cat, a bird, and eight rabbits, were rescued from the unit.

Witnesses’ Accounts of the Incident

Residents in nearby blocks reported hearing loud bangs and noticing smoke rising from the building. A hawker living across the street described smelling something burning and saw heavy smoke blocking his view from the window.

Personal Stories of Evacuated Residents

Said, a resident on the second floor of the affected block, shared that the occupant of the unit was a man in his 60s who frequently walked his dog around the estate. Another evacuee, a 50-year-old housewife, explained that she and her mother were forced to leave their home for several hours, unable to return due to police restrictions.

Authorities Offer Support

In a Facebook post, MP Ng Ling Ling from Ang Mo Kio GRC updated the public, stating that authorities were still working to identify the victims. For those in need of assistance, volunteers are available at the residents’ network centre at Block 976, open until 10 pm.

Cleaning and Hoarding Concerns

Ang Mo Kio Town Council has been working to clean the soot and debris left by the fire. The council also noted that hoarding issues within the affected unit will be addressed in collaboration with the Housing and Development Board (HDB), ensuring further support for residents affected by the incident.