A power bank caught fire inside an MRT train cabin at Raffles Place station on Friday evening, triggering an emergency response. All 650 passengers evacuated safely, and train services remained unaffected, reads The Star post.
SMRT said the emergency communication button was activated at 5:30 pm. Station staff promptly used a fire extinguisher to put out the fire, and the station’s exhaust system was turned on to clear the smoke.
Lam Sheau Kai, president of SMRT Trains, confirmed that no injuries were reported, and the commuter involved declined medical assistance. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) was alerted at 5:45 pm but was informed that no additional help was needed.
A video circulating on social media showed white smoke filling the train cabin as staff managed the situation. A passenger, identified only as Chen, said she was not using the power bank when it caught fire. Startled by the flames, she threw her handbag—containing the device—onto the floor and quickly exited the cabin with others.
The affected train was taken out of service and moved to Changi Depot for investigation. SCDF’s preliminary findings indicate that an electrical fault in the power bank likely caused the fire.
SMRT assured commuters that the situation was swiftly contained and advised passengers to remain cautious when carrying electronic devices on public transport.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
