Energy provider SP Group said preliminary findings indicate that there was equipment failure at a substation serving the Carlton Hotel. This, in turn, caused an electricity flashover which resulted in the fire.
Electricity supply to some areas in central Singapore was disrupted on Thursday afternoon (Feb 14), with blackouts reported at Bras Basah Complex, Odeon Towers, Carlton Hotel and several MRT stations.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it responded to the fire at 1.15pm.
“The fire, which was contained within a switch room, was extinguished by SCDF ” it said. About 1,000 people were evacuated from the building and there were no reported injuries.
Although it was a small fire the disruption to the area was substantial. However, the emergency procedures worked well as people evacuated the buildings and the subway.
Electricity supply was fully restored at 6.34pm to Carlton Hotel
The cause was being investigated by SCDF and the power company.
Photo for illustration. Image from Author.
