SINGAPORE – A 20-year-old man was arrested on Thursday, March 12, for his suspected involvement in three fires across the Sungei Kadut industrial estate, the Singapore Police Force said on Friday, March 13.
The incidents occurred on three consecutive days within one of Singapore’s largest industrial zones, prompting parallel police and firefighting responses. Police said no injuries were reported and that early indications point to deliberate ignition. The case is being investigated as a series of suspected arson incidents, a serious offence under Singapore’s Penal Code.
Locations and sequence of incidents
According to police, the fires were reported over three straight days, ending Thursday, March 12, at the following addresses:
- 56 Sungei Kadut Drive
- 51 Sungei Kadut Street 1
- 8 Sungei Kadut Crescent
The affected sites sit within a cluster of warehouses, factories and storage yards in the Sungei Kadut industrial estate, an area that houses timber, recycling and heavy manufacturing facilities. Authorities said the close succession of incidents within a concentrated industrial belt heightened concerns over potential disruption to business operations and risks to nearby workers.
What authorities said
In a news release, police stated:
“Preliminary findings showed that all three fires were suspected to have been started intentionally,” the police said in a news release, adding that the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) extinguished the fires on Tuesday and Wednesday, while members of the public put out Thursday’s blaze before SCDF arrived.
Police also said: “No injuries were reported in any of the incidents,” SPF said.
Authorities noted that damage assessments were ongoing but stressed that, at this stage, there was no indication of a broader threat to public safety beyond the three reported sites.
Public safety response
Police said the Singapore Civil Defence Force handled the first two fires, while members of the public extinguished the third before SCDF arrived. Sungei Kadut is a heavy-industry district in northwestern Singapore, and incidents there typically draw a multi-agency response to safeguard workers, nearby facilities, and critical logistics routes.
Officials said the swift action by SCDF and members of the public helped contain the fires and prevent escalation. The incidents also triggered coordination between police, fire safety officers and site management to review on-site fire precautions, storage practices and surveillance coverage in the estate.
Investigation
Officers from the Woodlands Police Division identified the suspect and arrested him on Thursday, March 12. Police said they seized a lighter and a pair of gloves he allegedly used in connection with the fires as case exhibits.
The man is expected to face charges related to mischief by fire, which carries significantly enhanced penalties when committed against property used for industrial or commercial purposes under Singapore law. Police said investigations are ongoing, including into the suspect’s possible motives and whether he may be linked to any other incidents.
Authorities reiterated that deliberate fire-setting in industrial zones is treated as a serious threat to workplace safety and economic continuity, and urged members of the public to report suspicious behaviour promptly. Guidance on fire safety and reporting obligations for industrial premises is set out in the fire safety regulations administered by the Singapore Civil Defence Force, which operators in high-risk estates such as Sungei Kadut are required to follow.