Over a quarter of 2015's fires in Orchard occurred this month

A Christmas tree outside Knightsbridge mall caught fire on 2 Dec. Photo: Newsflare

The fires in the Orchard Road area in December make up 27 percent of the non-residential fires in the shopping belt this year, according to Yahoo Singapore’s calculation of figures from media reports and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).

Statistics provided by the SCDF showed a total of 12 non-residential fires were reported on the Orchard Road belt from 1 Jan to 9 Dec.

Three other incidents reported in the media, which occurred after 9 Dec, bring the number of fires for this year to 15.

On 2 Dec, a Christmas tree went up in flames outside Knightsbridge mall. This was followed by Christmas decorations outside Peranakan Place catching fire on 10 Dec.

Another fire broke out in a restaurant on the second floor of Lucky Plaza on 18 Dec, while the latest report was of a blaze in the car park of Orchard Plaza on Monday evening (21 Dec).

People outside Lucky Plaza after a restaurant caught fire on 18 Dec. Photo: Joy Loh

In addition to the fires, Orchard Road has also been hit by other incidents this past month. On 10 Dec, an Indonesian man died after falling several storeys inside the Wisma Atria mall, while the driveway roof of the Hilton Singapore Hotel collapsed on 13 Dec, injuring several people.

However, fires along the Orchard Road belt area are actually down from last year. In 2014, the SCDF responded to 19 non-residential fire incidents in Orchard. In 2013, there were 14 fires.

The SCDF said a number of the fires involved discarded items, electrical equipment, commercial kitchens, and decorative lighting, and issued the following fire safety advisory:

Building Fire Safety Tips

· Escape passageways and fire exit doors are kept unlocked at all times for use during emergencies

· Common areas (e.g. staircases) should not be used for storage or disposal of goods/items, which may impede evacuation during an emergency

Preventing Electrical Fires

· Never overload electrical outlets with electrical appliances

· Always switch off appliances when they are not in use

· Check the condition of wires regularly; frayed wires or cracked cords should be replaced or repaired immediately

· Do not run wires under carpets or mats and keep wires away from hot surfaces

· Use electrical plugs which carry the Singapore SAFETY Mark

Preventing Fires at Eating Establishments (restaurants, coffee shops, canteens, hawker centres)

· Turn off cooking appliances/ heat sources when not in use

· Do not leave cooking unattended

· Do not place or store combustible materials near stoves

· Ensure regular maintenance of exhaust system and ducting

Decorative Lighting Fire Safety Tips

· Check the decorative lighting fixtures for damage and defects before use and regularly thereafter for wear and tear. If blown bulbs and frayed wires are detected, replace them immediately with new ones

· Lighting fixtures rated for indoor use should not be used in outdoor areas

· Lit candles should be placed in stable holders on a heat-resistant surface. Lit candles should also be kept away from combustibles such as Christmas trees, paper or cardboard decorations, dry foliage, curtains and furnishings

· Use decorative lighting fixtures which carry the Singapore SAFETY Mark