3 sent to hospital after chemical plant at Tanjong Penjuru catches fire

SINGAPORE - Three men were sent to hospital after a fire broke out at a chemical plant in Tanjong Penjuru on Friday night.

According to a statement from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) early on Saturday, two of the men suffered burn injuries. The other man was sent to hospital as a precautionary measure.

SCDF said it was alerted to a case of fire at 8.53pm. Three fire engines, three red rhinos, 10 supporting vehicles, two ambulances and one unmanned firefighting machine were dispatched to the scene.

The fire at the chemical plant was confined to the production area measuring about 5m by 5m by 20m (height). About 50 SCDF personnel were involved in this firefighting operation.

The fire was extinguished by SCDF within 90 mins after firefighters wearing breathing apparatus equipment encircled the fire with a total of 6 water jets. One unmanned firefighting machine was also deployed.

Two eye-witnesses had told The Straits Times about the fire. The witnesses, who did not want to be named, sent The Straits Times photos of the building - Singapore Highpolymer Chemical Products Pte Ltd.

candicec@sph.com.sg