Singapore’s car retailer Premium Automobiles has been fined SGD12,000 (US$9,400) over an explosion at an Audi service center that blew a hole in a wall.
The company on Sept. 10 pleaded guilty to failing to immediately stop the operation of a lift it owned, despite it being used in a dangerous manner, according to The Straits Times.
The incident on March 7, 2023, tore open part of the Audi service center at 55 Ubi Road 1, leading to the evacuation of around 100 people.
Investigations later found that inside the lift’s machine room, Premium Automobiles had installed a waste oil tank in 2002, according to Channel News Asia.
 |
|
The logo of Audi is seen on a building. Photo by dpa Picture-Alliance via AFP |
Prosecutors said that although Premium Automobiles engaged a lift service contractor for monthly repairs and maintenance, it had not informed the contractor of the waste oil tank.
The explosion was caused by arcing in the relay switch of the lift’s control panel, which ignited flammable vapours that had accumulated in the machine room from the tank.
In mitigation, a representative of Premium Automobiles asked for leniency.
“Since our incorporation in 1999, this is the first time the organization has been brought to court and charged,” the representative said.
“We believe we were ill-informed and did not have the impression that the waste oil tank needed approval. But we accept full responsibility for this incident and will work better and safer for the future.”
