SINGAPORE — Two hours after commuters were evacuated after staff detected smoke inside Novena MRT station, services resumed there on Friday evening (Oct 27).
Transport operator SMRT announced the resumption of services at the station in a statement at 7.37pm. During the two hours or so, trains on the North-South Line kept operating but skipped Novena MRT station.
“Preliminary investigations by SCDF (Singapore Civil Defence Force) and SMRT found that the source of the white smoke was from the failed motor of an air handling unit (AHU),” it said.
“Our engineers have isolated the AHU system and will conduct further investigations,” said SMRT.
“We are sorry for affecting your journey this evening.”
A woman who works at nearby Tan Tock Seng Hospital and wanted to be known only as Ms Tan said that she was “trying her luck” when she entered the station at around 7.35pm, and was surprised to see that service had resumed.
“One of my colleagues had gone to the station and was turned away. But getting a taxi during peak hour is expensive so she returned back to rest,” said the 60-year-old.
In an earlier statement around 6.30pm, SMRT said commuters were evacuated for their safety after it detected smoke in the station at around 5.35pm.
No smoke was detected in the tunnel, it added.
“Train services on the North-South Line remain available but are skipping Novena station in both directions.” WITH CNA
The SCDF said in a statement that it was alerted by SMRT of the incident at about 5.30pm. It said there were no reported injuries.
Commuters were seen entering and exiting the station at around 7.30pm.
Ms Chathuri Madhusani, 30, a software engineer, told TODAY after she exited the station that she was not aware of the incident. She was on her way home from Tanjong Pagar MRT station.
“I didn’t hear any announcements on the train, I’m surprised to see so staff members here near the gantry,” she said. She was among the first few commuters to alight at the station.