SINGAPORE, May 5 -- A man has been arrested for allegedly starting a fire at a Housing Board block along Joo Seng Road last night, leaving eight residents hospitalised.

The blaze broke out around 9.40pm on the 18th floor of Block 14. When Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) crews arrived, the affected unit was already burning fiercely. They brought the fire under control using two water jets.

According to SCDF, eight occupants of the block were taken to Singapore General Hospital (SGGH) after inhaling smoke. Two firefighters who felt unwell during their response were also sent to the same hospital as a safety measure.

Police said a 44-year-old man was arrested at the scene for mischief by fire. Preliminary investigations suggest the f...