Eight injured, man arrested after suspected arson fire at MacPherson HDB block on 4 May 2026

SINGAPORE: Eight people were taken to hospital after a fire broke out in a residential unit at Block 14 Joo Seng Road in MacPherson on the night of 4 May 2026, with authorities indicating the blaze may have been deliberately started.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and police said they were alerted to the incident at about 9.40pm.

The fire occurred inside a unit on the 18th floor of the Housing Board block.

“Upon arrival, fire was seen raging inside a unit on the 18th floor,” SCDF said in a Facebook post.

The fire engulfed the entire unit before firefighters brought it under control using two water jets.

SCDF said three occupants had evacuated the flat before emergency responders arrived at the scene.

Eight individuals were assessed for smoke inhalation and subsequently conveyed to Singapore General Hospital.

SCDF added that two firefighters also felt unwell during the operation and were taken to hospital as a precaution.

In response to media queries, police confirmed that a 44-year-old man was arrested at the scene for suspected mischief by fire.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

SCDF noted in its statement that “preliminary findings indicate the fire could have been intentionally started”, though no further details on the suspected cause were disclosed.

The incident adds to a broader trend highlighted in SCDF’s annual statistics report released in February.

According to the report, the total number of fires rose by 3 per cent, from 1,990 cases in 2024 to 2,050 in 2025.

Of these incidents, 1,051 involved residential buildings, underscoring the continued prevalence of fires in housing areas.

The report also recorded an increase in fire-related injuries, with the number of people hurt rising from 80 in 2024 to 94 in 2025.