Unattended oil pot sparks kitchen fire at Yishun Block 263, neighbour saves the day

A 21-year-old student started a kitchen fire at Block 263 Yishun Street 22 on 14 December 2024 after leaving a pot of oil unattended on the stove while she stepped away to do household chores. Yafiqah, the flat owner's daughter, had intended to fry frozen food for a quick meal but returned within 10 minutes to find the pot ablaze and thick smoke filling the kitchen.

She evacuated with her 17-year-old sister before a next-door neighbour intervened, demonstrating how to smother the flames using a dampened bedsheet — extinguishing the fire before SCDF arrived at the sixth-floor unit at approximately 3:50pm. One occupant was assessed for smoke inhalation on-site but declined hospital treatment.

Kitchen cupboards were blackened and the stove and hood were damaged beyond use, with SCDF reminding the public to never leave cooking unattended.

• 16 Dec 2024mothership.sg