Sticky situation: SCDF fire engine gets stuck in mud at Sengkang

A Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) fire engine found itself in a sticky situation after its wheels got stuck in mud at a BTO estate in Sengkang on Thursday (Sept 24). 

The incident happened at about 3.50pm along a fire engine accessway off Block 338A Anchorvale Crescent at Anchorvale Parkview.

A video of the incident posted on social media shows an electric pump ladder from Punggol Fire Station with its rear wheel stuck in the mud.

Visuals of the aftermath show deep groove marks in at least three areas of the accessway.

In its reply to AsiaOne, SCDF stated that the fire engine's rear wheels sank into the grass verge near Block 338A Anchorvale Crescent as its firefighters were leaving the location, after completing routine checks on fire safety provisions at the block.

"SCDF officers worked with a vehicle contractor to move the fire engine back onto firm ground, before driving it back to the fire station," it said, adding that reviews into the circumstances of the incident are ongoing.

Fire engine accessways must be built to specifications set out in the Fire Code. They are required to be designed to withstand both stationary and axle loading capacity of firefighting appliances.

The latest incident mirrors a similar occurrence in Tengah last year. 

At that time, firefighters were familiarising themselves with the Plantation Grove area in Tengah when the front wheel of their fire engine sunk into the ground before Block 121C Tengah Drive.

A tow truck was later used to recover the fire engine onto a nearby road before the crew drove it back to the station.

AsiaOne has reached out to both the Sengkang Town Council and Housing and Development Board to ask if the accessway is compliant with stipulated requirements, and of their reinstatement plan.

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editor@asiaone.com