SINGAPORE—A power bank caught fire during a crowded evening commute on the East-West Line, sending alarmed passengers rushing to safety at Raffles Place MRT station on 7 March 2024.
The incident unfolded around 5.30pm when a commuter’s power bank began emitting smoke from her bag. According to Ms Chen, the woman involved, the situation escalated rapidly, with smoke filling the train carriage just as it arrived at the station.
Quick Response by SMRT Staff
- Emergency communication button activated by a train passenger.
- SMRT staff arrived promptly to extinguish the fire using a fire extinguisher.
- All 650 passengers were evacuated safely without reported injuries.
After the incident, Ms Chen expressed her shock on the Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu. Describing the chaos, she said, “Everyone in the train car panicked. I quickly threw my bag to the ground and ran out as well. My hand and my bag were burnt.” She shared photos showing the aftermath of the fire, with her belongings severely damaged.
Investigation by Authorities
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) dispatched a team shortly after being alerted at 5.45pm, confirming that the fire had already been extinguished by SMRT staff. The burnt power bank is believed to have experienced an electrical malfunction.
Following the evacuation, the train was moved to Changi Depot for checks, with preliminary findings indicating an electrical origin for the fire.
In the aftermath of the incident, transport operator SMRT reassured passengers that measures were in place to ensure safety. “Our staff switched on the station’s exhaust system to clear the smoke quickly, and services resumed shortly thereafter,” stated Lam Sheau Kai, president of SMRT Trains.
This incident raises awareness about the potential hazards of lithium-ion batteries commonly found in power banks, as Ms Chen reflected, “Fortunately, I was not on a plane… I can’t imagine if this happened on the plane.”