Fires in Condominiums Caused by Discarded Cigarette Butts in Past Three Years

Ms Joan Pereira asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) in the past three years, what is the number of fires in condominiums caused by discarded cigarette butts; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider working with NEA and the condominiums’ MCSTs to install surveillance cameras to catch offenders.

The number of fires in condominiums caused by discarded cigarette butts has remained low in the past three years. There were five, four and four such fires in 2019, 2020 and 2021 respectively.

The National Environment Agency takes enforcement action against littering in public places. Many condominiums have also put in place by-laws to prohibit littering within their estate. The Management Corporation Strata Title (MCSTs) may also take steps to pass a special resolution to install surveillance cameras in the common areas of their estate.

The Penal Code was amended in 2020 such that should a fire occur within 60 minutes in the vicinity of a place where a person had illegally disposed of a cigarette butt, the person would be presumed to have caused or substantially contributed to the risk of a dangerous fire. Depending on the damage or hurt caused by such a fire, the penalties for this offence include imprisonment of up to seven years, a fine, or both.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force also works with Neighbourhood Committees and condominiums’ MCSTs to raise fire safety awareness among the residents.