Prøve GULL - Gratis

13 Fires Linked to Power Banks in 2024, a 6-Year High

The Straits Times

|

April 15, 2025

A total of 58 reported fires were linked to power banks between 2019 and 2024, with 2024 seeing the highest number of such incidents ever at 13.

- Sherlyn Sim

There were 10 such fires in 2023, 11 each in 2021 and 2022, six in 2020 and seven in 2019, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said in response to queries from The Straits Times on April 14.

Power banks have made the headlines recently amid incidents, including when 650 commuters had to alight at Raffles Place MRT station after a woman's power bank caught fire in a train cabin.

Elsewhere, a fire destroyed an Air Busan plane on the tarmac in South Korea in January, after which a number of airlines banned passengers from using power banks on planes.

Singapore Airlines and Scoot said passengers aboard flights will not be allowed to use power banks to charge their personal devices from April 1.

They will also not be allowed to charge portable power banks via on-board USB ports for the duration of the flight, the airlines said, citing safety reasons for the move.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA The Straits Times

The Straits Times

The Straits Times

Students lead effort to save birds from crashing into iconic NTU building

Birds would fly straight into the glass facade thinking the windows are part of landscape

time to read

4 mins

November 03, 2025

The Straits Times

The Straits Times

'What we promise, we deliver': Sunway founder on building a legacy of trust

Tycoon seeks to make conglomerate a major gateway from S'pore to Malaysia

time to read

4 mins

November 03, 2025

The Straits Times

The Straits Times

Why renewables are difficult to talk about at UN climate summits

When the 2035 climate targets of countries are scrutinised at the upcoming United Nations climate change conference COP30 in Brazil, the spotlight will be on whether the nations have done enough to meet a collective goal to ramp up clean energy adoption.

time to read

4 mins

November 03, 2025

The Straits Times

The Straits Times

Benz Hui's family to donate all condolence money to charity

All the condolence money for veteran Hong Kong actor Benz Hui will be donated to the Children’s Cancer Foundation, his family said in an obituary released on Oct 31.

time to read

1 mins

November 03, 2025

The Straits Times

The Straits Times

Dear Evan Hansen still moves with its message of feeling included

The title's second outing in Singapore features a larger cast and set, and has maintained the relatability and heart of the story

time to read

2 mins

November 03, 2025

The Straits Times

The Straits Times

From Vanuatu to Yishun: The plant giving S’pore fall colours all year

As the weather cools in the Northern Hemisphere, fall foliage is sure to draw the eye. But even in tropical Singapore, the colours of autumn can be enjoyed year round - in Gardens by the Bay and along the country’s streetscapes, from Yishun to Bukit Panjang.

time to read

5 mins

November 03, 2025

The Straits Times

Nearly half of Cat A COEs go to EVs in first 9 months of 2025

EVs make up 43% of new car registrations, up from 33.8% in 2024 and 18.2% in 2023

time to read

2 mins

November 03, 2025

The Straits Times

The Straits Times

Youth who faced family tragedy among 12 inaugural President's Challenge fellows

Growing up in a troubled family, Ms Shirlene Ng was 13 when she witnessed her mother take her own life. Her mental health took a hit.

time to read

3 mins

November 03, 2025

The Straits Times

The Straits Times

An uneven muddle of themes and genres

A deeper dive into the intergenerational female trauma of Congratulations, Get Rich! would make for a — pun intended — richer story

time to read

2 mins

November 03, 2025

The Straits Times

The Straits Times

Backyard cafes in JB village give owners hope of lease extension

Locals bank on increased economic activity boosting their case, preserving area’s heritage

time to read

5 mins

November 03, 2025

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size