Bedok North void deck fire: 58-year-old man arrested for setting fire to discarded items

A 58-year-old man has been arrested for his alleged involvement in a case of fire at Block 512 Bedok North Avenue 2. 

The incident which happened on Monday (Jan 30) at about 8.40pm was previously alerted to Stomp by a reader.

Rebecca told Stomp that she smelled a strong smell of something burning and heard residents from the opposite block screaming at her neighbours on the second floor, asking them to pour water down.

She realised that a fire had broken out at the void deck, but was unsure how the fire had started. 

Police and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) officers soon arrived at the scene and cordoned off the area. 

The fire was put out in less than two minutes. 

The police said in an official statement that officers, through the aid of images from police camera (POLCAM) and extensive ground enquiries, managed to establish the identity of the suspect.

He was subsequently arrested within 24 hours after the incident was reported. 

The man will be charged with Mischief by Fire with intent to cause damage in court on Friday (Feb 2).

If convicted, he can be jailed up to 7 years and fined.