// Adds dimensions UUID, Author and Topic into GA4
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
33.3 C
Singapore
type here...
Photos: Facebook
Featured NewsSingapore NewsUncategorized
1 min.Read

SMRT pins smoke-filled train cabin on leaking aircon compressor

Jewel Stolarchuk
By Jewel Stolarchuk

SMRT Corporation has explained that the smoke seen on a train along the East-West line on Friday afternoon (10 Jan) was caused by a leaking air-conditioning compressor.

Photos of a train cabin filled with thick smoke was circulating online throughout the day. Some commuters, who said that the smoke filled an east-bound train after 12pm, had expressed fears that the smoke could have been caused by a fire.

One commuter, Ee Chien, told Stomp: “I boarded a train on the green line at Tanjong Pagar MRT station at about 12.30pm and alighted at the next stop, Raffles Place station. I can’t tell if it was a fire but I didn’t want to linger around, plus I had to go for lunch. I just didn’t want to stick around in the smoke.”

Another commuter, Facebook user Benny Oka, recalled: “I got onto a train at Tanjong Pagar MRT at like 12.33pm. While on the way to Raffles Place station, I noticed smoke. Everyone seemed a bit uncomfortable and I could smell the smoke.

“All the passengers alighted at Raffles Place station and I heard an announcement saying that the train was going to stop here. I got off the train and switched to another one on the North-South line to continue my journey.”

SMRT Corporation has since explained that all commuters were asked to disembark from the affected train as it was withdrawn for investigation.

See also  2021 economic forecast goes up to 6-7% amid rise in vaccination rate

Chief Communications Officer Margaret Teo’s probe revealed that the smoke was caused by a leaking air-conditioning compressor that released Freon gas – a non-toxic gas that can be dangerous if it is inhaled over a prolonged period:

“On Friday (Jan 10) at around 12.45pm, white smoke was seen coming from a train at the east-bound platform of Raffles Place MRT station. As a safety precaution, all commuters on board the affected train were asked to disembark and board the next train.

“The affected train was withdrawn from service for further checks. We have confirmed that the smoke emission was due to a leaking air-conditioning compressor that released Freon gas. We apologise for affecting your journey.” /TISG

- Advertisement -
Google News Follow Google News WhatsApp Join us on WhatsApp Telegram Follow us on Telegram

Hot this week

Jobs

Jobs, affordable housing and traffic planning top Johoreans’ expectations as JS-SEZ attracts billion-ringgit investments

In just six months, the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) drew billion-ringgit investments. In The Independent Singapore’s earlier report, investments in the economic zone were alrea...
Jobs

Local asks, ‘Is the SG job market really that bad or am I just not qualified enough?’

SINGAPORE: A Singaporean jobseeker confessed on social media that it “feels demoralising” watching everyone else around him “thrive in their careers” or land new jobs with apparent ease, while he h...

Popular Categories

Singapore NewsFeatured NewsSG EconomySingapore PoliticsLifestyleCelebrityInternational
document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", () => { const trigger = document.getElementById("ads-trigger"); if ('IntersectionObserver' in window && trigger) { const observer = new IntersectionObserver((entries, observer) => { entries.forEach(entry => { if (entry.isIntersecting) { lazyLoader(); // You should define lazyLoader() elsewhere or inline here observer.unobserve(entry.target); // Run once } }); }, { rootMargin: '800px', threshold: 0.1 }); observer.observe(trigger); } else { // Fallback setTimeout(lazyLoader, 3000); } });

The Independent SG

Singapore News

Johor proposes tracking system for Singapore cross-border taxis

The system would allow officials to monitor taxi routes and ensure that passengers are picked up and dropped off only at approved locations.

Jamus Lim: A national on-the-job training program is how we train a workforce ready to take on AI

"Most skills we need for our jobs aren’t learned in classrooms, but through on-the-job training, via apprenticeships, internships, and mentorship. But our current systems are inadequate: the Skills...

Singapore driving test pass rates decline again; nearly 100,000 people took the tests last year

More learners are signing up for driving tests, but fewer are passing, reflecting changing preferences, stricter assessments, and growing demand for lessons.

2 months’, 2 weeks’ jail for man who wed second woman in Las vegas without divorcing wife

He had traveled to the United States in 2017 in order to marry another woman, even though he had not divorced his wife.

Business

Jobs, affordable housing and traffic planning top Johoreans’ expectations as JS-SEZ attracts billion-ringgit investments

In just six months, the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) drew billion-ringgit investments. In The Independent Singapore’s earlier report, investments in the economic zone were alrea...

Local asks, ‘Is the SG job market really that bad or am I just not qualified enough?’

SINGAPORE: A Singaporean jobseeker confessed on social media that it “feels demoralising” watching everyone else around him “thrive in their careers” or land new jobs with apparent ease, while he h...

46-year-old ‘jumbo’ executive flat in AMK sells for S$1.35 million

Ang Mo Kio has recently recorded another notable transaction in the HDB resale market. On 5 March, a resale executive flat in the estate changed hands for S$1,350,000, setting a new benchmark for i...

Six years under a narcissistic boss took a heavy emotional toll, employee shares

This article exposes the emotional toll of narcissistic bosses, showing how toxic leadership can drive burnout and career disruption. By sharing real experiences and practical advice, it validates ...

Singapore Politics

Budget 2026: S’poreans agree with Pritam Singh’s call for greater transparency

Pro-transparency Citizens deserve to know where billions in spending go Greater accountability prevents waste Opposing view Singapore already has strict fiscal oversight Too much transparency ...

All for safety: Han Hui Hui’s three children taken to hospital to keep them away from abusive environment, say MSF and police

Singaporean Han Hui Hui visits her 3 children in hospital for 1 hour

Pritam Singh: Process of bringing in new citizens, Permanent Residents, should be transparent

Mr Singh said, "​In Parliament last week, the DPM Gan announced that the Government would increase the intake of New Citizens and Permanent Residents over the next five years. The Workers’ Party be...

Louis Chua calls for government-subsidised discounts on hawker meals for Singaporeans

Mr Chua called on the Government, and not hawkers themselves, who are already struggling with low margins, to provide discounts for hawker food to Singaporeans based on their CHAS card type, with l...

© The Independent Singapore

// //