Motorists were urged to keep up to date with their car maintenance yesterday after a taxi burst into flames, reported The Sunday Times. No injuries were reported in the Lornie Road incident, which occurred at about 1:00pm.
At least eight other vehicle fires have been reported since the start of the year, including two involving cabs.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) later issued an advisory on preventing and handling vehicle fires.
It said most such fires in Singapore occur while vehicles are travelling and are often caused by ignition sources, such as overheating and electrical faults within the engine compartment.
Unauthorised modifications to the vehicles to enhance engine power and lighting could also be to blame, said General Insurance Association Of Singapore Executive Director Derek Teo.
Lack of proper maintenance and overall wear and tear are other dangerous factors.
Drivers are also advised to keep a constant lookout for signs of oil leakage and equip their vehicles with fire extinguishers. Most vehicle fires start small but develop rapidly due to the presence of flammables such as petrol, diesel and lubricants. If drivers detect smoke while on the road, they should pull over, turn off the ignition and evacuate everyone from the vehicle.
