Incident at Raffles Place MRT sparks safety concerns, commuter left with minor injuries
A woman’s power bank allegedly caught fire inside an MRT train on the East-West Line, causing panic among passengers and forcing a temporary evacuation at Raffles Place MRT station. The incident, which occurred on March 7 at around 5:25 PM, left the commuter’s top charred and her hand slightly injured. SMRT staff acted swiftly to contain the fire and ensure passenger safety.
Public transport incidents involving electronic devices have raised safety concerns, especially as more commuters rely on power banks for their daily needs. In this case, a woman, identified as Chen, was traveling on the East-West Line when she noticed thick smoke filling the train carriage. The source was her shoulder bag, which contained a power bank. As the train approached Raffles Place station, she threw the bag aside, allowing station staff to put out the fire immediately upon arrival.
A Sudden Fire and Panic on Board
Chen, a woman in her 20s, was commuting from Queenstown MRT to Raffles Place MRT for a job interview when she suddenly saw black smoke coming from her bag. Other passengers panicked and ran towards the opposite end of the train, with some exiting the train as soon as the doors opened. “I was very scared, and my first thought was that no one should get hurt because of me,” she later told 8World.
Upon realizing that her bag was the source of the fire, Chen quickly threw it onto the empty carriage floor. By the time the train reached Raffles Place station, 10 SMRT staff members were already on standby with a fire extinguisher to put out the flames. An emergency announcement was broadcast, instructing commuters to stay clear of the affected train car.
The Aftermath: Charred Bag and Safety Response
Photos circulating on Xiaohongshu showed the aftermath of the fire, with Chen’s top partially burned and her left hand covered in soot. Fortunately, she suffered only a minor burn. She credited her leather handbag for preventing the fire from spreading further.
Inside the bag were a power bank, a charging cable, an access card, and wired headphones. The power bank purchased less than a year ago from a store in Funan, is believed to be the cause of the fire. Both the bag and power bank are now in SMRT’s possession as part of their investigation.
Chen, who received first aid at the scene, declined ambulance assistance and is now seeking compensation for her damaged branded bag, which was a wedding gift from a friend.
Official Response from SMRT and SCDF
Responding to media queries, SMRT Trains President Lam Sheau Kai confirmed that the emergency communication button was activated by a passenger at 5:30 PM on March 7. “Our station staff responded quickly and used a fire extinguisher to put out the fire. All 650 passengers on board disembarked safely,” Lam stated.
To clear the smoke, SMRT activated the station’s exhaust system, and services resumed once the affected train was moved to Changi Depot for inspection. No additional injuries were reported.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) also confirmed that it was alerted by SMRT at 5:45 PM but did not need to deploy assistance since the fire had already been extinguished. Preliminary investigations suggest the fire originated from the power bank’s battery system, though further analysis is underway.
The incident raises concerns over power bank safety regulations and public transport policies. With many commuters carrying electronic devices daily, ensuring that such products meet strict safety standards is crucial. Frequent battery checks and avoiding unknown brands may help prevent similar occurrences. SMRT continues to monitor safety guidelines, while authorities are looking into possible fire hazards related to power banks on public transport.
Sources: Mothership (2025), Asia One (2025)
Keywords: Power Bank Fire, MRT Evacuation, Commuter Incident, SMRT Response, Public Safety
