Family burn offerings in carpark in Hougang housing estate, ashes fly onto vehicles and into homes

It is a common sight in Singapore, but is it illegal?

A group of people burned their offerings in the carpark in the middle of a Hougang housing estate, allowing the smoke and ashes to enter nearby homes.

This irked Stomper Sha, who shared a photo of the incident last month.

"A family of four were seen burning incense at the carpark next to Block 645 Hougang Avenue 8 at around 1.40pm. They were burning it without using the proper equipment and causing the ashes to fly around the vehicles nearby," said the Stomper.

The photo shows two men and two women standing in the shade of a nearby structure as only a few metres away, flames consumed the remains of their offerings.

According to the National Environment Agency (NEA) website, the burning of joss paper is a religious practice not regulated by law.

"To minimise disamenities arising from this practice, NEA has been working with religious federations to encourage devotees and members of the public to practice responsible burning," said NEA.

"We have been and will continue to educate residents to burn in smaller quantities to reduce smoke, not to scatter joss papers indiscriminately and to burn them in proper burners."