Statistics on Refuse Chute Fires in the Past Three Years and Main Suspected Causes of Such Fires

Question:

Mr Victor Lye: To ask the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs (a) in each of the last three years, what is the percentage of refuse chute fires of all residential fires that the Singapore Civil Defence Force responded to; (b) in each of the last three years, what is the average number of refuse chute fires per month; and (c) what are the main suspected causes of such refuse chute fires.

Answer:

Mr K Shanmugam, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs:

1. Refuse chute fires are considered minor fires. They are typically caused by indiscriminate disposal of lighted materials such as un-extinguished cigarette butts and smouldering embers. They are generally low-risk with little potential for fire spread.

2. Refuse chute fires are very different from residential fires and are therefore tracked separately from residential fire statistics. It would not be meaningful to compare refuse chute fires and residential fires.

3. The Singapore Civil Defence Force responded to an average of 54, 46 and 47 refuse chute fires per month in 2022, 2023 and 2024 respectively.