Dealer Premium Automobiles plead guilty to using a lift in a dangerous way. This misuse caused an explosion of an Audi service centre in Singapore in March of 2023. During the incident, around 100 people were evacuated while one was taken to the hospital.
FIRE AT UBI ROAD
On 7 March 2023, the Singaporean Civil Defence Force (SCDF) arrived at 55 Ubi Road 1 to find the Audi Service Centre collapsed on one side and surrounded by debris. After initial investigations, the SCDF found a fire broke out in the ground floor of the building and subsided before the police arrived. The fire was put out by civilians who used fire extinguishers, the police said.
There were no casualties from the tragedy, but did result in one hospitalisation. A civilian fell and injured his hands while putting out the fire.
Further investigations found that the fire came from an explosion in the building’s lift motor room. The hydraulic lift was installed in the same machine room as a waste oil tank, which had accummulated “flammable vapours.” The explosion was reportedly big enough to be felt by occupants in nearby buildings.
Singapore’s Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council issued a statement following the investigation. The organisation emphasis that such tragedies “highlight the need for workplaces to better manage flammable materials, as workplace fires can lead to mass casualties and cause extensive damage to assets.”
WSH also took the opportunity to urge companies “to urgently review their safety measures,” especially if they handle flammable materials. In light of the incident, WSH also emphasised the need for risk assessment and training for hazardous materials.
As the lessee of the building, Premium Automobiles is charged with misuse of its hydraulic lift.
PLEADING GUILTY
Premium Automobiles, Audi’s official and exclusive dealer in Singapore, pleaded guilty to the charge under the Building Maintenance and Strata Management Regulations on the 8th of August. The dealer will be charged with a hefty fine of up to SGD 20,000 (AUD 23,916).
According to Singapore law, operating a lift in dangerous way results in a fine and/or up to twelve months in jail for the owner.
The company previously operated a showroom on Alexandra Road until 2024. In 2025, Audi opened a new showroom at the Cross Street Exchange mall and also began selling cars through its own online platform.
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