Chiku Road Fire Forces Early Morning Evacuations in Joo Chiat

The Chiku Road fire in Singapore forced dozens of residents to flee before dawn on December 17, 2025. The fire hit three terraced houses in the Joo Chiat area. It started around 4am and spread fast through the connected units.Firefighters reached the site soon after the alert. They found heavy flames and thick smoke. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Chiku Road Fire Response and Evacuations

The Singapore Civil Defence Force evacuated about 20 people. This included residents from the three burning units and nearby homes. According to reports from The Straits Times, one person was sent to the hospital for smoke inhalation.Some residents escaped under tough conditions. One man climbed through a drain behind his house. Another heard loud blasts as flames rose above the roofs. Their accounts showed how fast the fire spread in the narrow housing stretch.SCDF deployed seven water jets to stop the advance of the fire. They also used an aerial platform ladder to hit flames from above. Crews worked for almost three hours. By 6:45am, the fire was fully put out.Six nearby homes also suffered burn damage. Police closed part of Joo Chiat Place to keep the area safe and allow investigators to work.

Impact on Residents and Ongoing Investigation

The Chiku Road fire left many people shaken. Several foreign workers who lived in the affected units waited outside with their bags. They did not know if they could return home. News outlets AsiaOne and Mothership reported that many lost belongings as the fire spread through the small terraced houses.Firefighters stayed on site to damp down hot spots. They sprayed water on burnt walls and roofs to stop flare-ups. This step was needed because terraced homes can trap heat.The cause has not been confirmed. Investigators are checking the damaged units for clues. This process may take several days due to the level of destruction.

Community Recovery and Safety Concerns

The fire raised new questions about safety in older housing areas. Many terraced homes in Joo Chiat sit close together. A fire in one unit can move fast to the next. This event showed how important fast evacuation is.Residents said they were grateful for the quick response from SCDF. Their work likely prevented more injuries. Still, many families now face repairs and long-term recovery.The community is helping those displaced. Some neighbors offered temporary shelter. Others helped collect basic supplies. Their actions showed how people come together after sudden loss.

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The Chiku Road fire will stay in public memory for some time. It was a reminder of risk, but also of strong emergency services and community support.

A quick knowledge drop for you-

Q1: What caused the Chiku Road fire?

The cause has not been confirmed yet. Investigators are checking the burnt units. It may take days before they release findings.

Q2: How many homes were damaged?

Three homes were hit directly by the fire. Six more nearby houses had burn damage. All are part of the same terraced stretch.

Q3: Were there any injuries?

One person was sent to the hospital for smoke inhalation. No other major injuries were reported. Fast evacuations helped limit harm.

Q4: How long did firefighters take to put out the fire?

Fire crews worked for almost three hours. They used water jets and an aerial ladder. The fire was put out by 6:45am.

Q5: Which agencies responded?

The Singapore Civil Defence Force and police responded. They handled fire control and evacuation. Road closures were also managed for safety.