SINGAPORE, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- Singapore recorded 23 fires linked to hoarding in public housing between 2020 and 2024, out of approximately 800 to 900 fires reported annually over the past five years, Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam told Parliament on Tuesday.

Responding to a parliamentary question on fires caused by excessive hoarding in Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats, the minister said that in cases where severe clutter obstructs emergency exits, HDB works with the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) to implement fire safety measures and improve safety within the unit.

His remarks come as January saw hoarding-related cases. In one, a 66-year-old man living alone was found dead in his flat, which was so cluttered that movement was nearly impossible. In another case, a fire in a hoarded flat claimed three lives, with authorities revealing that firefighters had difficulty entering the unit due to the excessive clutter.

Addressing inter-agency efforts, Shanmugam said that when fire safety, public health, or animal welfare risks arise, agencies such as the SCDF, National Environment Agency, or National Parks Board intervene using their regulatory authority. Additionally, agencies collaborate with community partners to engage hoarders and their families in efforts to declutter their homes.

HDB flats, known for their affordability and community-focused design, house about 80 percent of Singapore's resident population, with over one million flats built across the country. Enditem

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