Toa Payoh fire: Pipe leak likely reason for water supply issues

An underground pipe leak could be the reason the dry rising main was not working during the blaze at Block 229 Toa Payoh Lorong 8 on July 29.

- Nadine Chua

In a statement on July 31, BishanToa Payoh Town Council said it conducted a joint inspection of the dry riser with the Singapore Civil Defence Force, after SCDF found that it was not working properly.

"In our discussion with SCDF, the probable reason for the failure of the dry riser could be due to an underground pipe leak," the town council said.

It said the specific dry riser at Block 229, where the fire broke out, was last tested by an authorised fire prevention and protection system contractor on Aug 28, 2024, and was found to be in working condition. The next inspection for the dry riser is scheduled on Aug 5.