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Yahoo
41 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Foreign workers who rescued woman from sinkhole given tokens of appreciation
SINGAPORE – Seven foreign workers who rescued a woman from a sinkhole along Tanjong Katong Road South on July 26 were given tokens of appreciation on the night of July 27. Mr Pitchai Udaiyappan Subbiah, Mr Velmurugan, Mr Saravanan, Mr Veerasekar, Mr Ajithkumar, Mr Chandirasekaran and Mr Rajendran each received a coin from the Ministry of Manpower's Assurance, Care and Engagement (ACE) Group. Minister of State for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash gave the Friends of ACE coins to the workers personally when he visited them at their dormitory on July 27, he said in a Facebook video on July 28. The coins, which are presented in red boxes, are similar to certificates of commendation. In April, four construction workers involved in saving children from a River Valley shophouse fire also received these coins for their efforts. A section of Tanjong Katong Road South collapsed at around 5.50pm on July 26. It caused two lanes of the road to cave in, just adjacent to a PUB worksite. A woman and the black car she was driving fell into the sinkhole when the ground suddenly gave way under the vehicle. The workers, who were at the worksite, pulled the female driver to safety using a nylon rope. Mr Dinesh said in the Facebook video: 'All of them have, in their own ways, leaned forward to support the lady who was in need, and that made a big difference to a situation that would have otherwise been very different.' He added that the coins were a small token of appreciation for the workers, who have travelled very far from home to 'not only build Singapore, but also to make sure that when they are required, they step forward and they can help others as well'. Mr Dinesh commended the seven workers for reacting quickly, moving forward to help the driver and stopping traffic to prevent further incidents from taking place. 'Not only do (these migrant workers) work in the worksites and build Singapore – especially in the construction sector, but they also step forward and make themselves counted when it's important for them to do so,' he added. Mr Subbiah, a 46-year-old construction site foreman at Ohin Construction, had told the media that he and his colleagues saw the female driver fall into the sinkhole and wanted to help her as quickly as possible. He noted that one of his colleagues wanted to go down to help her, but Mr Subbiah advised him against doing so as he was worried they would not be able to climb out. He then instructed a group of workers to toss the woman a nylon rope so that they could pull her out. The entire rescue effort lasted three to five minutes. The woman was taken conscious to hospital. On the evening of July 26, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said on Facebook that the driver was rescued by workers before SCDF arrived at the scene. 'We will be reaching out to the workers to commend them for their bravery and prompt action in saving a life,' it added. The Straits Times has contacted SCDF for more information. Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction Discover how to enjoy other premium articles here
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Structure felled by fire had divine roots
Jul. 26—WATERTOWN — As 235 N. Rutland went up in flames on Tuesday night, forcing its demolition two days later, a piece of the city's spiritual history fell with it. The apartment complex, at the intersection of North Rutland and Olive streets, was the original home of Emmanuel Congregational Church, now at 119 S. Hamilton St. Nearly 150 years ago, the Rev. W.T. Stokes of Rodman Congregational Church was chosen to start the first Congregational church in the city. To help in the mission, a principal donation was received from First Presbyterian Church, with other contributions from local Episcopalians, Methodists and Baptists. The lot was purchased from Edwin Paddock. The North Rutland Street structure was completed as a church in October of 1886 and dedicated a few months later. At the time, the population on the east/northeast side of Watertown was steadily growing. Emmanuel's Sunday school enrolled 40 children at its opening, which increased to 150 students in six months. According to Times files, the congregation outgrew the North Rutland Street site and ordered plans drawn for the new church at its present site. In June 1912, a contract was signed for the construction of the new building at a cost of $54,500 — about $1.9 million in today's dollars. The structure, made of Pamelia limestone, was built at a rapid pace, and in September of 1913, the Rev. Dr. Rockwell Harmon Potter of Hartford, Connecticut, preached the dedicatory sermon. The Times called the structure, "Magnificent, built by popular subscription." From its inception, the church has been not only a house of worship, but a social service center as it serves people of all faiths. On Sept. 15, 1913, the church published a classified advertisement in the Times: "For sale, cheap: Old Emmanuel church, corner of Olive and Rutland streets. Also, church pews in first-class condition. Good investment for tenement flat." When city fire crews arrived at the site at 9:31 p.m. Tuesday, heavy fire was seen in a rear stairwell entrance to an upstairs apartment. Fire had also spread to the attic. The fire prevented access to the attic, and as the fire progressed, firefighters were forced to go on the defensive. The structure sustained heavy damage and was deemed unsafe. City crews demolished it on Thursday and Friday. On Friday, Watertown City Fire Department Deputy Chief Michael D. Kellogg said there was one "legally occupied" apartment in the structure, which was owned by Tyler Gray. But there was evidence of a few others staying there. "Others weren't there with the approval of the owner," Kellogg said. "I don't know what that scenario was. I just know they were there, essentially, without permission. It's like similar structures within the city, which tries to secure them, but people break in." That has been an issue in Watertown and other communities. "People seek shelter and they're going to go where they can, legally or not," Kellogg said. "It's unfortunate, but it's kind of a sign of the times right now." An Emmanuel church official said Friday that anyone impacted by the fire and who may need assistance because of it should contact the church at 315-782-2650. On the web: Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Wolverhampton city centre buildings searched and evacuated as fire spreads
Firefighters searched and evacuated city centre buildings as an early-hours rubbish fire spread. Emergency services were called to Princes Square, Wolverhampton, at around 4.40am this morning (Monday, July 28). West Midlands Fire Service said the flames had spread to a ground floor outbuilding, while surrounding buildings were affected by the smoke. READ MORE: Great Bridge fire update as crews remain at scene almost 24-hours on A West Midlands Fire Service spokesperson said: "At around 4.40am on Monday, we responded to an incident on Princes Square, Wolverhampton. "Three fire engines responded, crewed by firefighters from Walsall, Bilston, and Wolverhampton fire stations. "This involved a rubbish fire that had spread to a ground floor outbuilding. "Surrounding buildings were affected by the smoke. "A total of six firefighters wearing breathing apparatus tackled the fire with hose reel jets. "Crews evacuated and searched neighbouring properties and shops due to smoke logging, ensuring there was no one trapped." The spokesperson told BirminghamLive the incident was "ongoing". As a result of the fire, Broad Street has been shut in both directions from A4150 Ring Road St Patricks to Princes Square as firefighters tackle the blaze. National Express West Midlands has warned passengers of "service disruption", with services diverted via Lichfield Street and Fryer Street.
