Blaze leaves ceiling and floor of Circuit Road block charred: 16-year-old girl arrested for 3 fires

A 16-year-old teenager was arrested on Saturday (Dec 29) for her suspected involvement in a case of mischief by fire.

In response to a Stomp query, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it was alerted to the fire at the void deck of Block 34 Circuit Road at around 3.35am.

"The fire involved discarded items at the void deck and was extinguished by members of the public using two fire extinguishers before SCDF's arrival," it added.

Stomper Q, who is a resident at the block, said he had been on his way home at around 3am when he noticed that the ceiling and floor at the void deck were "blackened".

"I saw the police officers at the block too," added Q, who took photos showing the damage inflicted by the fire.

Nobody was injured in the fire.

The police said in a statement that they arrested the teenager near Block 65 Circuit Road on the same day, after establishing her identity through ground enquiries and images from police cameras.

Stomp understands that she had set fire to a mattress at the void deck.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the teenager is believed to be involved in other similar cases of mischief by fire.

She is believed to have set fire to a dustbin at the void deck of Block 36 Circuit Road, as well as to a broom on the 14th floor of the same block.

If convicted for mischief by fire with intent to cause damage to property, she faces a jail term of up to seven years and a fine.

Stomper Q told Stomp on Wednesday (Jan 2) that the charred ceiling and floor at his block have since been painted over.