5 evacuated after discarded items outside second-floor unit in Woodlands catch fire

A fire involving discarded items broke out outside a unit at Block 501 Woodlands Drive 14 at about 11.40pm on Oct 18.

Stomper Effa, who lives four units away from the fire, captured a video at 12.05am on Oct 19 and sent it to Stomp.

She said: "I was in the living room at about 11.50pm when I smelled burning. After a few minutes, I heard a commotion from outside my flat. I went out and saw many people standing outside. There was also a thick fog in the air."

Effa was at home with her parents and sister that night.

"I was frightened. it is very unexpected to have a fire break out so near you, especially when it happens to your neighbour."

Stomp understands that the fire happened outside the unit and that five people were evacuated from the block.

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Effa told Stomp that the neighbour, whose flat caught on fire, had a mini garden, a sofa and carpets outside their unit which probably burned down.

In response to a Stomp query, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said: "SCDF responded to a fire incident at about 11.40pm at Block 501 Woodlands Drive 14 on Oct 18.

"The fire which involved discarded items was extinguished by SCDF using one hose reel and one compressed air foam backpack. There were no reported injuries.

"The cause of the fire is under investigation."