Six Downtown Line Stations Closed Due to Locomotive Fire, Services Resume After Morning Disruptions

SINGAPORE: Six stations on the Downtown Line were closed early this morning following a fire involving a maintenance locomotive, SBS Transit confirmed on May 24. The service suspension, which started at the opening of service hours, was lifted at 7:26 am once operations were restored. The incident occurred around 1:00 am during engineering work at DT25 Mattar Station.

Passengers reported delays at stations, including Tampines East, at around 7:50 am, citing crowd buildup and limited platform space. “The platform was packed with passengers bumping into each other,” shared one commuter.

SBS Transit reported that the fire occurred in the engine compartment of a locomotive used for maintenance, with the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) attending and extinguishing the blaze. Following the incident, the affected track section remained closed until the locomotive cooled sufficiently for safe removal. To assist travelers, SBS Transit provided free regular and bridging bus services between DT19 Chinatown and DT29 Bedok North, as well as a Shuttle Train between DT26 MacPherson and DT29 Bedok North.

One individual was transported to Singapore General Hospital for smoke inhalation, and 29 people were evacuated from nearby areas as a safety precaution. SCDF is currently investigating the fire’s cause. SBS Transit has extended its apologies to commuters and confirmed it is conducting a thorough investigation into the incident.