of explosion at somerset power substation. 4 injured.

Flash fire causes explosion at Somerset power substation:


The fire triggered a 15-minute power outage in the vicinity, and prompted mass evacuation of office staff.

An explosion at the Somerset power substation on Wednesday morning caused some 500 workers at the neighbouring Singapore Power building and malls and offices nearby to leave their premises.

Four people were injured and sent to the Singapore General Hospital. One of them suffered second degree burns and the rest were treated for smoke inhalation.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said the explosion had been caused by a flash fire in the third floor electrical switch room, where some contractors had been working.

It also disrupted traffic and triggered blackouts at many buildings in the Orchard Road vicinity.

Weng Enqi from the *Scape Youth Centre said: "It happened really fast. All the lights went out and we heard a loud bang and we felt the vibrations from the bang. My colleague shouted, "Explosion!" because from her window she could actually see a ball of fire."

SCDF officers said the flash fire burnt itself out and power was restored to the area at about 10.25am.

Report also at Straits Times ("4 workers injured in flash fire at Somerset substation").

FOUR workers were injured in a flash fire which broke out at a Singapore Power substation on Somerset Road on Wednesday morning.

One worker suffered second degree burns on his hands and legs, while the others came down with smoke inhalation. They were taken to Singapore General Hospital.

The fire triggered a 20-minute power outage in the vicinity, and prompted mass evacuation of office workers in several buildings in the area.

In a statement shortly after the incident, SP PowerGrid said the fire occured at 10.07am at a substation.

[via Simply Jean]