If you grew up in the west, chances are you’ll remember the Old Jurong Fire Station along Boon Lay Drive, complete with its signature tiled motif and towering 7-storey training tower.
Although the fire station was relocated to 22 Jurong West Street 26 back in 2017, the station’s iconic training tower still stands today, anchoring the new Boon Lay Glade BTO as a landmark you’ll spot instantly.
Sitting on the site of the former station, Boon Lay Glade’s design pays tribute to the area’s firefighting heritage, blending the past and present into residents’ everyday lives.
Boon Lay Glade’s fire station-themed HDB estate
Image credit: Sherry Tan on Facebook
Completed in 2022, Boon Lay Glade incorporates elements from the estate’s past. Most notably, the original training tower was retained by HDB, making it a defining landmark for the neighbourhood.
Works are underway to convert the tower’s base into a heritage gallery showcasing the station’s history. 2 faces of the tower will also feature climbing walls, turning a once functional structure into a recreational centre for the community.
Image adapted from: MyNiceHome
The estate also stands out with blocks painted fire engine-red, making them easily recognisable from across the neighbourhood. It also pays homage to its past by featuring the tower’s distinctive tile motif in the block designs.
Image credit: @desmond.lee
For families with young children, the playground is fully fire station-themed. Expect mini fire trucks, slides resembling fire hoses, and other playful nods to the profession—a fun way for kids to “play firefighter” while soaking in the estate’s history.
History of the Old Jurong Fire Station
Image credit: National Archives Singapore
Built in 1975, the Old Jurong Fire Station was the first fire station in the Jurong industrial area at Boon Lay Drive. Beyond responding to emergency calls, the station was also home to Jurong Fire Training School, where generations of firefighters honed their skills.
Image credit: Singapore Civil Defence Force on Facebook
Over the years, most of the old compound was demolished to make way for the new BTOs. But the training tower was spared, thanks to appeals from the firemen who had once trained and worked there. They requested to preserve elements of their base, especially the tower, highlighting its significance as a part of local heritage..
Boon Lay Glade: fire station-themed HDB estate
Boon Lay Glade joins a broader trend in Singapore, where local heritage is embedded in the design of neighbourhoods, such as Pasir Ris’ maritime-themed flats or Tampines’ fruit-themed playgrounds.
The old training tower now stands tall as a neighbourhood landmark, while the estate creates new core memories for residents. Kids can climb fire station-inspired structures, while adults can appreciate the nod to the area’s history through the upcoming heritage gallery, bringing the past and present into a neighbourhood that’s instantly recognisable.
For more Did You Know reads:
- Did you know that Singapore used to have single-digit postal codes?
- Did you know that HDB fire insurance expires after 5 years?
- Did you know HDB ballots were once a lucky draw in real life?
Cover image adapted from: @goofygayson on X, @desmond.lee
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