SINGAPORE – Thirty people were evacuated after a fire broke out at a two-storey house in Kovan, partially damaging another house and sending thick plumes of smoke in the air.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), who were alerted to the fire at Simon Lane in the Kovan area at about 3pm, said firefighters used three water jets to surround, contain and extinguish the fire.

A person from the affected unit evacuated before SCDF’s arrival. As a precaution, the police and SCDF evacuated about 30 people from neighbouring units.

A person from one of the neighbouring homes was assessed for smoke inhalation and taken to Singapore General Hospital, said SCDF.

Damping down of the affected area to prevent any potential rekindling of the fire is ongoing, with an adjacent house partially damaged by the blaze.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

When The Straits Times arrived at the scene at about 4.30pm, clouds of smoke were seen billowing from the house, shrouding the surrounding area.

At least two SCDF vehicles, including a Light Fire Attack Vehicle, commonly known as the Red Rhino, and a police car were at the scene.

Vincent Lim, 74, chairman of Phoh Kiu Siang T’ng temple, which is just a few doors down from the house, told ST he was the first person to notice the fire at around 3pm.

He said he immediately called SCDF before rushing to the house to help its residents, an elderly couple in their 80s.

An elderly man was later seen being wheeled away from the site by an SCDF officer, before getting into a waiting car.

In February, six people were rescued from a blaze that broke out in a two-storey co...