Two fires in Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats between 2020 and 2025 were linked to severe hoarding, with one incident resulting in a fatality and the other causing injuries from smoke inhalation and burns, according to Senior Minister K. Shanmugam. The minister provided this information in a written parliamentary response on September 9.
Shanmugam, who oversees the Ministry of Home Affairs, was addressing a question from Member of Parliament Shawn Loh (Jalan Besar GRC) regarding the number of hoarding-related fires in HDB flats since 2020 and whether the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) had taken preemptive safety measures in such cases. He noted that in the fatal fire, the resident had resisted efforts to declutter the flat. In the other case, despite assistance from government agencies and community groups to clear the unit, the hoarding behavior recurred.
Fire safety concerns related to hoarding have drawn the attention of other lawmakers as well. Tin Pei Ling (Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC) shared that she encountered hoarding during home visits and highlighted the challenges of encouraging residents to part with their belongings, even when fire risk is apparent. She added that town councils conduct weekly inspections of common corridors near HDB flats to ensure compliance with SCDF fire safety standards.
Another MP, Liang Eng Hwa (Bukit Panjang), advocated for a review of whether the SCDF and relevant agencies possess sufficient authority to intervene when serious fire hazards are identified inside residential units.
Shanmugam explained that authorities assess hoarding cases based on whether public health or safety risks have been exceeded. He emphasized that the primary fire safety threat from hoarding is the potential obstruction of escape routes for occupants and neighbors during emergencies. For severe cases that compromise escape, the SCDF may require residents to clear and maintain pathways within their units. Non-compliance can result in penalties including fines up to S$10,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both.
The minister clarified that in the two severe hoarding-related fires mentioned, SCDF had not issued directives to maintain escape routes prior to the incidents.
Addressing severe hoarding cases involves a complex, multi-agency approach. Shanmugam noted that coordination is conducted through the Hoarding Management Core Group and the New Environment Action Team network, which aim to tackle underlying causes beyond regulatory measures. He stressed that government agencies will continue to collaborate closely to manage hoarding issues in a comprehensive and sustainable manner.
Previously reported data indicated 23 hoarding-related fires occurred between 2021 and 2024. The ongoing focus on hoarding reflects broader concerns about fire safety risks within densely populated housing estates.