Woodlands recently suffered a series of fires in environmental recycling bins. A 56-year-old Singaporean man was charged in court on Wednesday (March 12) for suspected prank and arson.

The defendant is Xie Jianli, 56, who was charged with a crime of mischief and arson in the state court.

The charge shows that Xie Jianli was accused of throwing unknown objects into a blue environmentally friendly recycling box at 9:34 am on March 10, 2025, downstairs of the 155th HDB flat on Woodlands 13th Street, causing the environmentally friendly recycling box to catch fire and burn.

According to the “New Ming Daily” earlier report, three fires occurred in just four days on Friday (7th), last Saturday (8th) and Monday (10th), two of which involved recycling bins. Civil defense personnel arrived at the scene many times after the incident to extinguish fires.

According to the photos provided by readers, a raging fire ignited from the environmentally friendly recycling bin located downstairs of the HDB building, and civil defense personnel arrived at the scene to rescue and put out the fire.

Further reading

Woodlands Maxiling HDB flats caught fire three times in four days: Residents suspected of setting fires

Woodlands Maxiling HDB flats caught fire three times in four days: Residents suspected of setting fires

Punggol's HDB flat with four fires in three days and four fires were arrested

Punggol's HDB flat with four fires in three days and four fires were arrested

When the Civil Defense Force was inquired, it was confirmed that three fires occurred in the above-mentioned HDB flats; the first fire involved objects on the stool, and the other two involved objects in the environmentally friendly recycling bin.

After Xie Jianli was charged Wednesday, the judge extended his case until March 26 to complete the investigation.

According to Section 435 of the Criminal Code, if a mischief arson is found guilty of being convicted, the defendant may face up to seven years in prison, plus a fine.