Debated in Parliament on 8 Sep 2026.
Ms Denise Phua Lay Peng asked the Senior Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs (a) what is the number of fires in the last two years in (i) commercial and non-residential premises and (ii) residential premises; and (b) what preventive actions are or will be further taken to reduce fire incidents.
I refer the Member to the Ministry of Home Affair's combined Parliamentary Question reply on 12 January 2026, which provided statistics on residential fires in the last two years, and the measures taken to strengthen residential fire safety in Singapore. [Please refer to "Stepping Up Public Education Efforts in Light of Residential Unit Fires in 2025 and Review of Singapore’s Building, Fire and Construction Safety Codes", Official Report, 12 January 2026, Vol 96, Issue 12, Oral Answers to Questions section.]
Fires at commercial, industrial and other premises totalled 1,022 in 2024 and 999 fires in 2025.
To minimise fire risks, all businesses must comply with the Fire Safety Act. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) conducts inspections of commercial and industrial premises to ensure compliance with the stipulated fire safety requirements.
Beyond regulations, SCDF works with the National Environment Agency and National Fire and Emergency Preparedness Council (NFEC) to reach out to various stakeholders, such as food hawkers, and raise awareness on preventing and responding to fire emergencies. The NFEC also works with industry stakeholders, including the Fire Safety Managers' Association Singapore and the Singapore Chemical Industry Council, to promote fire safety best practices among premise operators.
Fire is a societal risk that affects us all, and preventing it is the responsibility of everyone – property owners, business operators, workers and members of the public alike. I urge all Singaporeans to stay vigilant, practise good fire safety habits and play our part in keeping our homes, workplaces and communities safe.
PAPERCUTS