Truck catches fire along Keppel Road, motorists urged to carry a fire extinguisher in vehicle

Singapore – The importance of keeping a fire extinguisher in a vehicle for emergencies was highlighted on social media recently after a motorist assisted a lorry on fire along Keppel Road.

One Brian Ong took to Facebook on Friday (Sept 17) to share a road incident involving a fire.

Mr Ong was driving along Keppel Road when he saw a tower of black smoke spewing from the side of the road.

As he drove past the area, he spotted a truck on fire. Mr Ong quickly parked his vehicle nearby and got his fire extinguisher from the car.

“Poor guy was frantically removing his goods from the truck,” said Mr Ong as he saw the driver removing boxes from the truck bed.

Boxes of what appear to be air-conditioning units could be seen on the road and by the kerb although a couple nearer to the cab were not saved.

The driver had already finished his fire extinguisher by the time Mr Ong arrived.

After asking the driver if there was anything explosive in the truck and being informed there was none, Mr Ong proceeded to use his fire extinguisher.

“At the same time, an ambulance passed by, and the paramedics also pulled out their fire extinguisher,” he said.

By the time their extinguishers were depleted, there was still some smouldering ember which quickly rekindled the flames.

“I tried to flag down any motorist passing by who may have a fire extinguisher with them by holding up my empty one and pointing to it. No one stopped,” said Mr Ong.

Soon after, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) arrived to put out the fire quickly. An SCDF motorcycle, pickup truck, followed by a fire truck, arrived at the scene.

Firefighters soon got to work spraying the cabin and the boxes on fire.

“Folks, please do carry a fire extinguisher with you if you are driving. You wouldn’t know when you or someone else may need it,” said Mr Ong./TISG

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