SINGAPORE — A late-night fire tore through a public housing flat in Yishun on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, triggering a mass evacuation of nearly 30 residents as thick, black smoke filled the corridors of the Housing & Development Board (HDB) block.

The Singapore Civil Defense Force (SCDF) responded to emergency calls regarding a structural fire at Block 413 Yishun Ring Road at approximately 10:45 PM. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered raging flames emanating from a unit on the sixth floor, threatening to spread to neighboring apartments.

Equipped with breathing apparatus, SCDF firefighters deployed a water jet to contain and combat the blaze inside the affected unit. Simultaneously, police officers and SCDF personnel conducted a swift sweep of the upper floors to ensure public safety.

A total of 28 residents from the surrounding units were evacuated from the building as a precautionary measure. Many fled in their pajamas, some clutching pets and basic valuables, while neighbors helped guide elderly residents down the stairwells.

"I smelled something burning and thought someone was cooking, but then the smoke became so thick it was hard to breathe," said a resident from the seventh floor. "When I looked out, I saw the flashing lights of the fire engines. We just grabbed our keys and ran."

SCDF personnel successfully extinguished the fire within 20 minutes of arrival. Preliminary assessments indicate that the blaze was confined to the living room area of the sixth-floor flat, which sustained severe heat and smoke damage.

Following the containment, SCDF officers conducted damping-down operations—showering the burnt surfaces with water—to prevent any potential pockets of fire from rekindling.

Medical teams assessed several evacuated residents at the scene for minor smoke inhalation, but fortunately, no injuries were reported, and no one required hospitalization.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the SCDF. Preliminary findings have not ruled out electrical origin, prompting authorities to remind the public of crucial fire safety measures.

The SCDF urged residents to regularly inspect electrical appliances, avoid overloading power sockets, and ensure that Personal Mobility Devices (PMDs) or power banks are not left charging unattended or overnight, which remain leading causes of residential fires in Singapore.