Department of Rail Transport Identifies Cause of MRT Tao Poon Fire

On September 20, 2026, an electrical short circuit caused a fire on the tracks at the MRT Blue Line’s Tao Poon station. According to a report from the Department of Rail Transport (DRT) under the Ministry of Transport, the incident was caused by damaged wiring that had been compromised since the system's installation nine years ago.

Officials noted that the insulation on the power cables was likely torn or defective from the start. While such cables are typically designed to last 10 to 20 years, this premature failure indicates a long-standing installation issue. The MRT Blue Line section between Bang Sue and Tao Poon has been operational since August 11, 2017.

For residents and commuters, this incident highlights a critical maintenance concern regarding the aging infrastructure of the rail network. However, the DRT stated that the government does not currently intend to pursue legal action against the concessionaire. The company responsible for both the rail operations and the original electrical installation has already taken responsibility for the repairs. This includes the replacement of ten 750V power cables, one signaling cable, and one communication cable. While the immediate repairs have been completed, commuters may remain interested in whether further inspections will be conducted across other sections of the line to ensure similar installation defects do not exist elsewhere.