The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) rescued a maid trapped in unit that was entirely engulfed by fire at Jalan Rajah.

The SCDF crew used cutting and braking tools to cut open the iron gate and rescue the maid.

STOMPer QK sent in this photograph of the fire which he snapped from his home.

The STOMPer recounted:

“This was like a midnight fire. I reached home at around one in the morning to the spectacular view of a column of black smoke rising into the city landscape.

“Evidently, a sizeable fire had broken out shortly before at the Balestier area.

“The fire brigade presumably got the fire under control at around 1:45 as the smoke turned grey and diminished in intensity, soon leaving just a patch of black clouds in the city skyline.”

A spokesman from SCDF said:

“The unit fire occurred at 1:09am today (Nov 7), at the fourth floor of Block 108 Jalan Rajah.

 “At 1:09am, SCDF received a call informing that a unit is on fire at the above-mentioned location. SCDF responded within 6 minutes to the location.

“A fire engine, two red rhinos, a support appliance and two ambulances were deployed.

“On arrival, the crew found the unit fully engulfed with fire and the maid was trapped in the unit.

“SCDF crew used cutting and braking tools to cut open the iron gate and subsequently rescued the maid to safety. She was conveyed to Singapore General Hospital for observation.

“The fire was brought under control in 10 minutes. The unit suffered extensive fire damage.

“Another female Chinese, who was from the unit directly above the fire, was also conveyed to Singapore General Hospital for observation.

“Residents on the 4th floor and upper floors were evacuated by the police as a safety precaution.”