A dramatic blaze erupted at the rooftop carpark of Golden Mile Tower today, engulfing multiple vehicles in flames and sending thick plumes of smoke billowing into the sky. The incident occurred just before 1 p.m. at the multi-storey carpark located at 6001 Beach Road.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) reported that the fire, which involved several cars, was quickly brought under control using two water jets. Initial investigations have confirmed that the vehicles were not electric cars.
Singapore Golden Mile Tower at fire
A video posted on Instagram by The Projector, a cinema tenant within the building, captured the intensity of the fire. The footage shows three vehicles fully engulfed in flames, with a distinct explosion sound audible as one of the cars ignites.
Approximately 45 people were evacuated from the premises. Three individuals were assessed for smoke inhalation on site but declined hospital treatment, according to SCDF.
Residents and passersby described the scene as chaotic. Ms. Robin Rheaume, a resident at Pebble Bay condominium, reported hearing loud explosion-like sounds from across the Kallang Basin.
“It was like popping noises. When I looked out from my balcony, I saw thick grey smoke coming from Golden Mile Tower,” she said.
By 3 p.m., several emergency vehicles, including six fire engines and six police cars, were on-site. Two SCDF vehicles and an ambulance were also present, with about 50 people, mostly building tenants and workers, gathered outside.
Jacob Chio, a venue hire executive at The Projector, was among those who first saw the fire. After initially assuming the blaze was affecting a nearby hotel, he later discovered the flaming cars in the carpark. “
It was a surreal and frightening sight,” Chio said. The cinema cancelled all showings for the day but plans to resume operations on September 1.
Madam Anirut, who operates a food stall on the building’s first level, described the panic when she learned of the fire. “I told my customers to leave immediately and not worry about paying. Safety was the priority,” she recounted.
Ms. Chen Hong Xiu, a landlord with units in Golden Mile Tower, was awakened by the explosions and initially mistook them for an earthquake. Despite the confusion, she rushed to alert others in the building to evacuate.
As of 4:25 p.m., only levels one to five of the building have been reopened. Levels six and above remain inaccessible due to the ongoing safety checks and cleanup operations.
Flooding on the basement floor was also reported, as cleaning crews worked to remove water resulting from firefighting efforts.
Golden Mile Tower, a 24-storey structure completed in 1974, once housed Singapore’s largest cinema, the 1,500-seat Golden Theatre. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
