Fire at Tampines Industrial Building Sends Thick Smoke Into the Sky
A large fire erupted at an industrial building in Tampines on May 9, prompting the evacuation of nearby schools and offices as thick black smoke billowed from the premises.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) was alerted to the fire at around 12:50 PM. The blaze occurred at a two-storey building located at 18 Tampines Street 92, where companies such as T.C. Homeplus and Jean Perry.SG are registered.
Middleton International School Evacuated as a Precaution
Students from the nearby Middleton International School were quickly evacuated as a precaution. According to EtonHouse, which operates the school, all children and staff were safely evacuated and the school is working closely with SCDF and relevant authorities.
Eyewitnesses at the scene reported seeing large groups of students descending staircases and gathering safely within the school grounds.
Firefighting Operations Underway
By around 1:15 PM, SCDF had deployed five water jets to battle the blaze. Multiple fire engines — more than five — were seen at the location.
One man was observed lying on a stretcher and being tended to by paramedics. An SCDF officer was seen using a power tool to cut part of a fence behind the building, possibly to gain better access to the affected area.
Witness Accounts of the Tampines Industrial Building Fire
James, a 35-year-old employee at a data centre located opposite the affected site, shared that he saw smoke as he was returning from lunch.
“When I got back to the office, everyone was being evacuated,” he said. “It was difficult to account for staff since many were still out for lunch.”
Ms Lee, an employee at T.C. Homeplus, said she was having lunch with 10 colleagues at the time of the fire.
“Someone shouted ‘fire’, and we all ran out immediately. The fire engines arrived within 10 minutes,” she recalled.
Situation Stabilised by Afternoon
By 2:45 PM, the fire had been brought under control, and SCDF firefighters were seen damping down the affected areas to prevent any flare-ups. The black smoke had mostly cleared, allowing surrounding businesses to assess any potential impact.
Authorities Continue Monitoring
SCDF has not yet released official details on the cause of the Tampines industrial building fire or any injuries sustained. Investigations are ongoing.
Stay tuned for further updates as more information becomes available.
