SINGAPORE — Residents evacuated as a result of a massive blaze in Block 720 in Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6 will be provided with alternative accommodation by the Housing and Development Board (HDB) if they need it, according to the area's Member of Parliament (MP).

"Our main mission is to provide support to the displaced families who may be at a loss of where they can go," said Ang Mo Kio Group Representation Constituency MP Koh Poh Koon on Friday (July 5).

He offered assurances that these residents will have a place to spend the night. Several residents of Block 720 were evacuated after the blaze took hold.

"If they don't have family or friends to house them... we are prepared to give them temporary accommodations at least for the night and for however long it takes (for them) to enter their flats back safely."

Dr Koh, who is also the Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry, said that the HDB will be contacting the affected unit owners by phone to keep them abreast of the situation.

He added that once the fire is under control, an information counter will be set up by the Singapore Police Force "as close as possible" to the affected block to render any aid that might be needed through the night.

He said that as far as he knew, it might take the Singapore Civil Defence Force the whole night to ensure the entire block is made safe.

The block was likely to have either minimal power, or none at all, he added.

Dr Koh said at least 12 to 16 units of the four-storey block were affected by the fire, which includes both shops and residential dwellings.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who is also an Ang Mo Kio GRC MP, said Dr Koh has updated him on the situation at the block.

"Relieved that the fire has been put out and assistance rendered to those affected," Mr Lee wrote on Facebook.

"Please continue to look out for one another, and my thanks to all who came forward to help. We hope those who are injured will recover well too."

In its final update on Facebook, the SCDF said that a total of eight people, including one firefighter, were sent to hospital suffering either burn injuries or smoke inhalation.

"My understanding is that there are no life-threatening injuries at the moment, so that is something to be thankful for," said Dr Koh.

When asked about the affected hawkers in the adjacent block, Dr Koh said the authorities were trying to ascertain whether the gas supply will be available on Saturday morning.

"At this point of time, they may have to prepare for the possibility that they may not be able to resume business as usual."

In a Facebook post later in the evening, Dr Koh gave an update to say that the Merchants and Hawkers Association will be “coordinating any support needed by stall owners”.

He added that the Town Council cleaners are on standby to help with clearance work when it is safe to do so.

Dr Koh was speaking to the media on Friday evening, after firefighters brought the fire under control.

The SCDF said that the fire broke out at Block 720 at about 3.45pm on Friday.

Eyewitnesses whom TODAY spoke to said that the fire originated at the back of a hardware shop that sold paint, among other things.

The shop is located at the bottom of the four-storey block that has shops on the ground level, and residential dwellings on the upper levels.

The exact cause of the fire is still unknown.