Honestly, I went to Our Tampines Hub for the 2026 countdown thinking, “Okay lah, fireworks, vibes, countdown, go home sleep.”
Did not expect fireworks inside the stadium. Inside, leh.
And then—plot twist—a small fire broke out. Yes, I saw it with my own two eyes. Not TikTok rumour. Not WhatsApp auntie forward. Real life.
So yeah, happy new year… with bonus anxiety.
Fireworks + Roof + People = Can or Not?
Actually, let’s rewind a bit.
The fireworks went off at midnight. Everyone cheered. Phones up. Instagram stories loading.
Then shortly after, people noticed sparks that were not part of the show.
Next thing you know, there was a fire on the roof of Our Tampines Hub.
Not dramatic, not inferno-level chaos. But still a fire. On a building. With people around. You don’t need to be an engineer to know that’s not ideal.
What Happened After That
Moving on to the official part.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force was alerted at about 12:05am on January 1.
Location: 1 Tampines Walk.
Turns out, the fire involved a small patch of grass at the rooftop garden.
SCDF came in, used a hose reel, and put it out. Situation handled. No injuries reported.
So yes, under control. But still… the question remains.
Haven’t We Seen This Movie Before?
Here’s the thing. This isn’t exactly a brand-new issue.
Back in 2024, National Day celebrations at Paya Lebar were held very close to buildings. People already raised eyebrows then.
Fast forward to 2025, the celebrations got moved to Eunos Industrial Park.
Why? Space. Safety. Fewer buildings. Fewer things that can catch fire at 12am.
I even chatted with a security guard during the 2025 celebrations. He straight up said there were complaints about fire hazards because the previous setup was too near Wisma Geylang Serai.
So yeah, this Tampines situation feels a bit like déjà vu, but louder and with fireworks.
Fireworks Are Fun, But Context Matters
Look, fireworks are great. They make people feel something.
But location matters. A lot.
Doing fireworks near or inside buildings is like saying, “Relax lah,” while lighting a match in a storeroom full of cardboard boxes.
Most of the time, nothing happens.
Until one time, something happens.
And that one time is enough to make everyone go, “Eh… maybe don’t do this again.”
Between You & Me
Between you & me, I highly doubt the 2027 countdown will be back inside Our Tampines Hub stadium.
Not because people are dramatic.
But because Singaporeans are practical.
Once something becomes a “potential hazard,” it’s confirm-plus-guarantee someone will say, “Okay, next year, different place.”
Nobody wants to start the new year with sirens, fire hoses, and that awkward feeling of “this could have been worse.”
Celebrate, yes.
But maybe next time, give the fireworks a bit more breathing space, can?
End of the day, no one got hurt. That’s the most important thing.
But small incidents like this are reminders.
Crowds, fireworks, buildings—they don’t always mix well.
So if future countdowns move to more open spaces, don’t be surprised.
It’s not being kiasu. It’s just common sense, lah
