Latest news with #JalanBukitMerah
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
YAHOO POLL: Are you worried about PMD-linked fires?
A fire at the fourth-floor unit at Block 106 Jalan Bukit Merah on 13 Aug tragically claimed the lives of two people – a 34-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman. According to The Straits Times (ST), the couple were seen yelling for help through their flat window and even attempted to save one of their cats. The victims were found unconscious in the kitchen by firefighters and later died in hospital. The blaze had engulfed both the living room and bedroom by the time firefighters arrived. Other polls YAHOO POLL: Are you excited for Taylor Swift's new album The Life of a Showgirl? YAHOO POLL: Do you want the HDB BTO eligibility criteria to change? YAHOO POLL: Should citizenship be open to those who love Singapore? The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) shared their preliminary findings in a Facebook update on 14 Aug, and said the fire was probably caused by a personal mobility device (PMD) battery pack in the living room. They wrote, "The public is advised not to leave batteries or devices charging for prolonged periods or leaving the batteries to charge unattended overnight. The public is also advised not to purchase or use non-original batteries." A neighbour told ST that she had seen someone delivering a PMD charger a few days before the incident to the couple who died. So, we want to know – Are you worried about PMD-related fires? Related: 2 taken to hospital after PMD-linked fire sets Toa Payoh HDB flat ablaze askST: What to do in the event of a fire at home Fire breaks out at Bedok North unit, likely originated from battery pack of charging Power Assisted Bicycle
CNA
3 days ago
- CNA
Bukit Merah flat fire that killed two occupants likely caused by PMD battery pack
Preliminary investigations have found that a personal mobility device battery pack may have been behind last night's fatal Jalan Bukit Merah fire. Two occupants of a rental unit died, while about 60 residents were evacuated due to the fire. The Singapore Civil Defence Force said there were 20 fires due to PMDs in the first half of 2025, up from 10 in the same period last year. Alexandra Anand reports.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Jalan Bukit Merah flat fire: PMD battery could be the cause, says SCDF; Haidilao Clarke Quay outlet to close on 31 Aug: Singapore live news
The fatal fire that broke out in a Jalan Bukit Merah flat on 13 Aug may have been caused by a personal mobility device (PMD) battery pack in the living room. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) shared their preliminary findings in a Facebook update on 14 Aug. Popular Chinese hotpot chain Haidilao will be closing its Singapore flagship outlet at CQ @ Clarke Quay on 31 Aug, following the expiry of its lease. Customers were informed of the closure via a text message sent to Haidilao members on Wednesday (13 Aug). In a statement on 13 Aug, a Haidilao Singapore spokesperson said: "This was our very first outlet in Singapore and served as an introduction to Chinese hotpot for many local diners. It also holds countless fond memories for our team and guests alike." Read more in our live blog below, including the latest local and international news and updates. Jalan Bukit Merah flat fire: PMD battery could be the cause, says SCDF The fatal fire that broke out in a Jalan Bukit Merah flat on 13 Aug may have been caused by a personal mobility device (PMD) battery pack in the living room. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) shared their preliminary findings in a Facebook update on 14 Aug. They wrote, "The public is advised not to leave batteries or devices charging for prolonged periods or leaving the batteries to charge unattended overnight. The public is also advised not to purchase or use non-original batteries." The fire tragically claimed the lives of a 34-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman, who were found unconscious in the kitchen by firefighters and later died in hospital. The blaze had engulfed both the living room and bedroom by the time firefighters arrived. Two other people from neighbouring units were also taken to the hospital – one due to smoke inhalation and another who felt unwell from the incident. In total, about 60 residents were evacuated from the affected block as a safety measure. For more on the Jalan Bukit Merah flat fire, read here. UK primary school math question stumps a teacher – and the internet A math problem has gone viral online, leaving students, teachers, and social media users scratching their heads. The puzzling question was shared on Threads by Bobby Seagull, a British elementary school math teacher and TV presenter known from University Challenge. He posted a photo of the problem, which came from the homework of his friend's 7-year-old child. "I'm a school maths teacher… and I can't solve it," Seagull said in the Thread with 117,000 views. "Any ideas? Am I missing something?" The problem read: "5)a) Dina is baking. The cake bakes from 11 o'clock until half past 11. The brownies bake from 10 past 11 until 25 to 12. Do you agree with Dina? Explain your answer.' If you're confused, you're not alone. For the explanation, read here. 2 taken to hospital after KJE accident Two people were taken to hospital following a road accident involving two cars and a motorcycle on the Kranji Expressway (KJE) towards Tuas on August 13. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and police said they were alerted to the incident at around 5.25pm. A 47-year-old female car passenger and a 29-year-old female motorcyclist were both conscious when they were taken to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital. Police said a 51-year-old male car driver is currently assisting with investigations. This incident comes amid a rise in motorcycle-related accidents. According to the 2024 annual road traffic situation, the police shared that the number of accidents involving motorcyclists increased by 4.7 per cent, from 3,792 cases in 2023 to 3,969 cases in 2024. For more on the KJE accident, read here. Everything to know about Taylor Swift's new album The Life of a Showgirl Taylor Swift is one of the few global pop stars who could tease a new album and leave fans scrounging for every scrap of detail available – whether they be legitimate easter eggs or not. Well, on Tuesday (12 Aug), Swift announced the title of her upcoming album and that was it. The internet was on fire as speculations ran wild. Now, we have more concrete details of her album, including the release date and one special collaboration. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) On Thursday, Swift revealed the album cover and the release date. The album will be released on 3 Oct – not surprising, considering that the pre pre-order items were to be shipped before 13 Oct based on her website prior to the announcement. Swift also shared the full track list of 12 songs and said there won't be additional songs for this album, tempering the expectations of fans who want "vault tracks" (songs which Swift wrote but didn't make the initial cut of the album) and a double album after The Tortured Poets Department set a precedence. The album will also see the return of producers Max Martin and Shellback, who produced some of Swift's biggest pop hits from her Red and 1989 era. If you're a fan of Blank Space, Style, Shake It Off, I Knew You Were Trouble, and We're Never Ever Getting Back Together, then this might be the album for you. For more The Life of a Showgirl details, read here. Trump promises 'severe consequences' for Putin if no Ukraine truce agreed US president Donald Trump has warned that Russian president Vladimir Putin will face "very severe consequences" if he refuses to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine during their upcoming summit. The high-stakes meeting is set to take place this Friday in Anchorage, Alaska. It will reportedly be held at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson, a military site historically significant during the Cold War. Trump made the remarks after a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and several European leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He also suggested a follow-up summit that could involve all three leaders – himself, Putin, and Zelenskyy – if the outcome of the initial meeting is positive. "If the first one goes OK, we'll have a quick second one," Trump told reporters in Washington. He expressed a desire to hold the second summit 'almost immediately' if both Putin and Zelenskyy are open to the idea. However, no specific timeline or location for the potential meeting was provided. When asked directly about the consequences Russia would face if Putin refused a ceasefire, Trump said, "Yes, they will… very severe consequences." For more on Trump's remarks, read here. HSA hiring investigators to crack down on Kpods The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) is hiring investigators to tackle the growing problem of etomidate-laced e-vaporisers, commonly known as Kpods. Job listings posted around 12 Aug on LinkedIn and the Careers@Gov portal show that the agency is seeking both full-time investigators and senior investigators. These roles involve a wide range of enforcement duties aimed at protecting public health. According to The Straits Times, responsibilities include arresting individuals who abuse Kpods, conducting surveillance operations for possible importing, peddling and trafficking offences involving Kpods, and collaborating with international police organisations such as Interpol. The investigators will also take on educational responsibilities and will be expected to deliver preventative talks for youths, relevant stakeholders, and organisations. For more on the Kpod investigators, read here. Haidilao Clarke Quay outlet to close on 31 Aug Popular Chinese hotpot chain Haidilao will be closing its Singapore flagship outlet at CQ @ Clarke Quay on 31 Aug, following the expiry of its lease. Customers were informed of the closure via a text message sent to Haidilao members on Wednesday (13 Aug). The Clarke Quay outlet, which opened in 2012, was Haidilao's first branch in Singapore and marked the brand's entry into the country. The closure announcement comes after the company shut down three other outlets in Bedok, Pasir Ris, and Punggol. In a statement on 13 Aug, a Haidilao Singapore spokesperson said: "This was our very first outlet in Singapore and served as an introduction to Chinese hotpot for many local diners. It also holds countless fond memories for our team and guests alike." "Looking ahead, we will continue to serve the local market through diverse concepts and elevated dining experiences," the spokesperson added. For more on the Haidilao Clarke Quay closure, read here. Jalan Bukit Merah flat fire: 2 dead, about 60 evacuated Two people died after a fire broke out in a flat at Block 106, Jalan Bukit Merah on 13 Aug. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said in a Facebook post that they responded around 4pm. When they arrived, they found the living room and bedroom of a fourth-floor unit engulfed in flames. Firefighters used a water jet to extinguish the blaze and discovered two individuals unconscious in the kitchen. Police told The Straits Times (ST) that the victims were a 34-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman. Preliminary investigations do not indicate foul play, and further investigations are ongoing. Then victims were taken to Singapore General Hospital but later succumbed to their injuries. Two other residents from nearby units were also hospitalised – one for feeling unwell and another for smoke inhalation. Around 60 residents from the affected block were evacuated as a safety measure. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. A friend of the deceased man told ST he saw the couple shouting for help at their window. The self-employed 41-year-old said, "She was shouting, 'Brother, help me!' in Malay and he was hugging her from behind. I recognised him from the tattoos on his arm." He also witnessed the woman attempting to save her cat by handing it to firefighters through the window. For more on the Jalan Bukit Merah flat fire, read here. Jalan Bukit Merah flat fire: PMD battery could be the cause, says SCDF The fatal fire that broke out in a Jalan Bukit Merah flat on 13 Aug may have been caused by a personal mobility device (PMD) battery pack in the living room. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) shared their preliminary findings in a Facebook update on 14 Aug. They wrote, "The public is advised not to leave batteries or devices charging for prolonged periods or leaving the batteries to charge unattended overnight. The public is also advised not to purchase or use non-original batteries." The fire tragically claimed the lives of a 34-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman, who were found unconscious in the kitchen by firefighters and later died in hospital. The blaze had engulfed both the living room and bedroom by the time firefighters arrived. Two other people from neighbouring units were also taken to the hospital – one due to smoke inhalation and another who felt unwell from the incident. In total, about 60 residents were evacuated from the affected block as a safety measure. For more on the Jalan Bukit Merah flat fire, read here. The fatal fire that broke out in a Jalan Bukit Merah flat on 13 Aug may have been caused by a personal mobility device (PMD) battery pack in the living room. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) shared their preliminary findings in a Facebook update on 14 Aug. They wrote, "The public is advised not to leave batteries or devices charging for prolonged periods or leaving the batteries to charge unattended overnight. The public is also advised not to purchase or use non-original batteries." The fire tragically claimed the lives of a 34-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman, who were found unconscious in the kitchen by firefighters and later died in hospital. The blaze had engulfed both the living room and bedroom by the time firefighters arrived. Two other people from neighbouring units were also taken to the hospital – one due to smoke inhalation and another who felt unwell from the incident. In total, about 60 residents were evacuated from the affected block as a safety measure. For more on the Jalan Bukit Merah flat fire, read here. UK primary school math question stumps a teacher – and the internet A math problem has gone viral online, leaving students, teachers, and social media users scratching their heads. The puzzling question was shared on Threads by Bobby Seagull, a British elementary school math teacher and TV presenter known from University Challenge. He posted a photo of the problem, which came from the homework of his friend's 7-year-old child. "I'm a school maths teacher… and I can't solve it," Seagull said in the Thread with 117,000 views. "Any ideas? Am I missing something?" The problem read: "5)a) Dina is baking. The cake bakes from 11 o'clock until half past 11. The brownies bake from 10 past 11 until 25 to 12. Do you agree with Dina? Explain your answer.' If you're confused, you're not alone. For the explanation, read here. A math problem has gone viral online, leaving students, teachers, and social media users scratching their heads. The puzzling question was shared on Threads by Bobby Seagull, a British elementary school math teacher and TV presenter known from University Challenge. He posted a photo of the problem, which came from the homework of his friend's 7-year-old child. "I'm a school maths teacher… and I can't solve it," Seagull said in the Thread with 117,000 views. "Any ideas? Am I missing something?" The problem read: "5)a) Dina is baking. The cake bakes from 11 o'clock until half past 11. The brownies bake from 10 past 11 until 25 to 12. Do you agree with Dina? Explain your answer.' If you're confused, you're not alone. For the explanation, read here. 2 taken to hospital after KJE accident Two people were taken to hospital following a road accident involving two cars and a motorcycle on the Kranji Expressway (KJE) towards Tuas on August 13. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and police said they were alerted to the incident at around 5.25pm. A 47-year-old female car passenger and a 29-year-old female motorcyclist were both conscious when they were taken to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital. Police said a 51-year-old male car driver is currently assisting with investigations. This incident comes amid a rise in motorcycle-related accidents. According to the 2024 annual road traffic situation, the police shared that the number of accidents involving motorcyclists increased by 4.7 per cent, from 3,792 cases in 2023 to 3,969 cases in 2024. For more on the KJE accident, read here. Two people were taken to hospital following a road accident involving two cars and a motorcycle on the Kranji Expressway (KJE) towards Tuas on August 13. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and police said they were alerted to the incident at around 5.25pm. A 47-year-old female car passenger and a 29-year-old female motorcyclist were both conscious when they were taken to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital. Police said a 51-year-old male car driver is currently assisting with investigations. This incident comes amid a rise in motorcycle-related accidents. According to the 2024 annual road traffic situation, the police shared that the number of accidents involving motorcyclists increased by 4.7 per cent, from 3,792 cases in 2023 to 3,969 cases in 2024. For more on the KJE accident, read here. Everything to know about Taylor Swift's new album The Life of a Showgirl Taylor Swift is one of the few global pop stars who could tease a new album and leave fans scrounging for every scrap of detail available – whether they be legitimate easter eggs or not. Well, on Tuesday (12 Aug), Swift announced the title of her upcoming album and that was it. The internet was on fire as speculations ran wild. Now, we have more concrete details of her album, including the release date and one special collaboration. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) On Thursday, Swift revealed the album cover and the release date. The album will be released on 3 Oct – not surprising, considering that the pre pre-order items were to be shipped before 13 Oct based on her website prior to the announcement. Swift also shared the full track list of 12 songs and said there won't be additional songs for this album, tempering the expectations of fans who want "vault tracks" (songs which Swift wrote but didn't make the initial cut of the album) and a double album after The Tortured Poets Department set a precedence. The album will also see the return of producers Max Martin and Shellback, who produced some of Swift's biggest pop hits from her Red and 1989 era. If you're a fan of Blank Space, Style, Shake It Off, I Knew You Were Trouble, and We're Never Ever Getting Back Together, then this might be the album for you. For more The Life of a Showgirl details, read here. Taylor Swift is one of the few global pop stars who could tease a new album and leave fans scrounging for every scrap of detail available – whether they be legitimate easter eggs or not. Well, on Tuesday (12 Aug), Swift announced the title of her upcoming album and that was it. The internet was on fire as speculations ran wild. Now, we have more concrete details of her album, including the release date and one special collaboration. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) On Thursday, Swift revealed the album cover and the release date. The album will be released on 3 Oct – not surprising, considering that the pre pre-order items were to be shipped before 13 Oct based on her website prior to the announcement. Swift also shared the full track list of 12 songs and said there won't be additional songs for this album, tempering the expectations of fans who want "vault tracks" (songs which Swift wrote but didn't make the initial cut of the album) and a double album after The Tortured Poets Department set a precedence. The album will also see the return of producers Max Martin and Shellback, who produced some of Swift's biggest pop hits from her Red and 1989 era. If you're a fan of Blank Space, Style, Shake It Off, I Knew You Were Trouble, and We're Never Ever Getting Back Together, then this might be the album for you. For more The Life of a Showgirl details, read here. Trump promises 'severe consequences' for Putin if no Ukraine truce agreed US president Donald Trump has warned that Russian president Vladimir Putin will face "very severe consequences" if he refuses to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine during their upcoming summit. The high-stakes meeting is set to take place this Friday in Anchorage, Alaska. It will reportedly be held at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson, a military site historically significant during the Cold War. Trump made the remarks after a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and several European leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He also suggested a follow-up summit that could involve all three leaders – himself, Putin, and Zelenskyy – if the outcome of the initial meeting is positive. "If the first one goes OK, we'll have a quick second one," Trump told reporters in Washington. He expressed a desire to hold the second summit 'almost immediately' if both Putin and Zelenskyy are open to the idea. However, no specific timeline or location for the potential meeting was provided. When asked directly about the consequences Russia would face if Putin refused a ceasefire, Trump said, "Yes, they will… very severe consequences." For more on Trump's remarks, read here. US president Donald Trump has warned that Russian president Vladimir Putin will face "very severe consequences" if he refuses to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine during their upcoming summit. The high-stakes meeting is set to take place this Friday in Anchorage, Alaska. It will reportedly be held at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson, a military site historically significant during the Cold War. Trump made the remarks after a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and several European leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He also suggested a follow-up summit that could involve all three leaders – himself, Putin, and Zelenskyy – if the outcome of the initial meeting is positive. "If the first one goes OK, we'll have a quick second one," Trump told reporters in Washington. He expressed a desire to hold the second summit 'almost immediately' if both Putin and Zelenskyy are open to the idea. However, no specific timeline or location for the potential meeting was provided. When asked directly about the consequences Russia would face if Putin refused a ceasefire, Trump said, "Yes, they will… very severe consequences." For more on Trump's remarks, read here. HSA hiring investigators to crack down on Kpods The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) is hiring investigators to tackle the growing problem of etomidate-laced e-vaporisers, commonly known as Kpods. Job listings posted around 12 Aug on LinkedIn and the Careers@Gov portal show that the agency is seeking both full-time investigators and senior investigators. These roles involve a wide range of enforcement duties aimed at protecting public health. According to The Straits Times, responsibilities include arresting individuals who abuse Kpods, conducting surveillance operations for possible importing, peddling and trafficking offences involving Kpods, and collaborating with international police organisations such as Interpol. The investigators will also take on educational responsibilities and will be expected to deliver preventative talks for youths, relevant stakeholders, and organisations. For more on the Kpod investigators, read here. The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) is hiring investigators to tackle the growing problem of etomidate-laced e-vaporisers, commonly known as Kpods. Job listings posted around 12 Aug on LinkedIn and the Careers@Gov portal show that the agency is seeking both full-time investigators and senior investigators. These roles involve a wide range of enforcement duties aimed at protecting public health. According to The Straits Times, responsibilities include arresting individuals who abuse Kpods, conducting surveillance operations for possible importing, peddling and trafficking offences involving Kpods, and collaborating with international police organisations such as Interpol. The investigators will also take on educational responsibilities and will be expected to deliver preventative talks for youths, relevant stakeholders, and organisations. For more on the Kpod investigators, read here. Haidilao Clarke Quay outlet to close on 31 Aug Popular Chinese hotpot chain Haidilao will be closing its Singapore flagship outlet at CQ @ Clarke Quay on 31 Aug, following the expiry of its lease. Customers were informed of the closure via a text message sent to Haidilao members on Wednesday (13 Aug). The Clarke Quay outlet, which opened in 2012, was Haidilao's first branch in Singapore and marked the brand's entry into the country. The closure announcement comes after the company shut down three other outlets in Bedok, Pasir Ris, and Punggol. In a statement on 13 Aug, a Haidilao Singapore spokesperson said: "This was our very first outlet in Singapore and served as an introduction to Chinese hotpot for many local diners. It also holds countless fond memories for our team and guests alike." "Looking ahead, we will continue to serve the local market through diverse concepts and elevated dining experiences," the spokesperson added. For more on the Haidilao Clarke Quay closure, read here. Popular Chinese hotpot chain Haidilao will be closing its Singapore flagship outlet at CQ @ Clarke Quay on 31 Aug, following the expiry of its lease. Customers were informed of the closure via a text message sent to Haidilao members on Wednesday (13 Aug). The Clarke Quay outlet, which opened in 2012, was Haidilao's first branch in Singapore and marked the brand's entry into the country. The closure announcement comes after the company shut down three other outlets in Bedok, Pasir Ris, and Punggol. In a statement on 13 Aug, a Haidilao Singapore spokesperson said: "This was our very first outlet in Singapore and served as an introduction to Chinese hotpot for many local diners. It also holds countless fond memories for our team and guests alike." "Looking ahead, we will continue to serve the local market through diverse concepts and elevated dining experiences," the spokesperson added. For more on the Haidilao Clarke Quay closure, read here. Jalan Bukit Merah flat fire: 2 dead, about 60 evacuated Two people died after a fire broke out in a flat at Block 106, Jalan Bukit Merah on 13 Aug. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said in a Facebook post that they responded around 4pm. When they arrived, they found the living room and bedroom of a fourth-floor unit engulfed in flames. Firefighters used a water jet to extinguish the blaze and discovered two individuals unconscious in the kitchen. Police told The Straits Times (ST) that the victims were a 34-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman. Preliminary investigations do not indicate foul play, and further investigations are ongoing. Then victims were taken to Singapore General Hospital but later succumbed to their injuries. Two other residents from nearby units were also hospitalised – one for feeling unwell and another for smoke inhalation. Around 60 residents from the affected block were evacuated as a safety measure. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. A friend of the deceased man told ST he saw the couple shouting for help at their window. The self-employed 41-year-old said, "She was shouting, 'Brother, help me!' in Malay and he was hugging her from behind. I recognised him from the tattoos on his arm." He also witnessed the woman attempting to save her cat by handing it to firefighters through the window. For more on the Jalan Bukit Merah flat fire, read here. Two people died after a fire broke out in a flat at Block 106, Jalan Bukit Merah on 13 Aug. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said in a Facebook post that they responded around 4pm. When they arrived, they found the living room and bedroom of a fourth-floor unit engulfed in flames. Firefighters used a water jet to extinguish the blaze and discovered two individuals unconscious in the kitchen. Police told The Straits Times (ST) that the victims were a 34-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman. Preliminary investigations do not indicate foul play, and further investigations are ongoing. Then victims were taken to Singapore General Hospital but later succumbed to their injuries. Two other residents from nearby units were also hospitalised – one for feeling unwell and another for smoke inhalation. Around 60 residents from the affected block were evacuated as a safety measure. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. A friend of the deceased man told ST he saw the couple shouting for help at their window. The self-employed 41-year-old said, "She was shouting, 'Brother, help me!' in Malay and he was hugging her from behind. I recognised him from the tattoos on his arm." He also witnessed the woman attempting to save her cat by handing it to firefighters through the window. For more on the Jalan Bukit Merah flat fire, read here.
CNA
3 days ago
- General
- CNA
‘I still feel guilty': Man who tried to save pair in fatal Bukit Merah blaze wishes he could have done more
SINGAPORE: He may have crawled through thick smoke in an attempt to break into a burning Bukit Merah flat to rescue two people trapped within. But 39-year-old Wan feels nothing but guilt. 'Because I could not save them,' he told CNA in an emotional phone interview on Thursday (Aug 14). 'When I see the video (of the fire), I still want to cry; I try to talk, but I can't." A 34-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman died after a fire broke out in a Housing and Development Board (HDB) flat at Block 106 Jalan Bukit Merah the day before. Sixty people were also evacuated from the affected block. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) has said that preliminary findings indicate the fire could have started from a battery pack of a personal mobility device (PMD) in the living room. When firefighters arrived, the living room and bedroom of a fourth-floor unit were on fire, and two people were found unresponsive in the kitchen. They were taken unconscious to Singapore General Hospital (SGH), where they died. Wan, a lifting supervisor, had just got home from work at about 4pm when he saw smoke streaming from a fourth-floor unit in his block. He also spotted the woman screaming for help from one of the windows. He declined to give his full name, saying he did not want to draw attention to himself. For Wan, who had served in the SCDF during his National Service, instinct kicked in: He decided then and there to do everything he could to save the pair. "My thinking is just to help them ... I didn't care about myself," he said. He ran up to the fourth floor, only to find the smoke too thick to pass through. On the way, he met a young man and an older neighbour, who joined him in trying to help the pair. They hurried to the fifth floor and found a safer route to the burning unit. Armed with fire extinguishers, they dropped to all fours to avoid the smoke. Wan then saw that the door to the unit was open, but the gate was locked. "We tried to ask them to throw the keys to us," he said, but there was no response. Attempts to break the lock failed, as did their bid to put out the flames with the fire extinguisher, which was "too small", said Wan. "We couldn't pull them out, and that was when I said to (the young man) let's evacuate, the smoke is too thick for us." As they made their way down, they saw firefighters rushing up to douse the flames. Soon after, he heard a few explosions from the unit. Asked why he decided to risk his life, Wan played down his heroics. "When we proceeded to the house, the fire wasn't so big yet ... when we were (in the corridor), we couldn't see the fire," he said. Despite going above and beyond in an attempt to save lives, Wan remains haunted by the scenes of the fire. "I cannot sleep, because I can still see the person put her hand out (of the window)," he said. Throughout the interview, he repeated that he could have saved them if the unit's gate had been unlocked. 'If the gate was open, maybe the two would have a 50 per cent chance to live,' he said. 'It was my intention to bring them out, and I talked to my wife and told her I still feel guilty. 'My mum also called me and said, 'You tried your best, but unfortunately, God willing, you can't try anything more.'" "IT'S QUITE BAD" Meanwhile, other neighbours of the affected unit, which is in a block of one-room flats, were left reeling after the fire rendered their homes temporarily uninhabitable. The blaze damaged the house of 70-year-old Mahmood Kadir and landed his wife in hospital. When the fire started at about 4pm on Wednesday, Mr Mahmood was at work, but his wife was at home. Noticing a burning smell, she opened the door and was hit by a wall of thick smoke. SCDF officers soon ushered her downstairs and assessed that she needed to be hospitalised. Mr Mahmood said his wife, 69, had a pre-existing lung condition, which was worsened by inhaling the smoke. She was one of two people taken to the hospital. He was thankful that his wife, who will be discharged on Thursday, is recovering well. However, she is still traumatised by the close shave. "I thank God, because it happened at four o'clock. If it happened at nighttime, how? Just imagine if we sleep and it happens," Mr Mahmood said. After visiting his wife in hospital on Wednesday night, Mr Mahmood, a security officer, wandered aimlessly around the estate, managing only about 15 minutes of shut-eye on some seats at the foot of the block. In the aftermath of the blaze, neighbour Bernard Francis had to throw away fans and cushions blanketed in ash. A layer still coats the floor of his unit. 'It's quite bad, there's no lights, nothing,' he said. Power to surrounding units was cut in the wake of the fire, and as of Thursday afternoon, residents were unsure when it would be restored. Mr Francis, a 67-year-old security officer, said he had no home insurance and was at a loss over his next steps. He also said that a few days ago, he observed an e-bike charger hanging outside the door of the affected unit, and he suspected e-bike batteries to be the cause of the fire. GROUPS STEPPING IN TO HELP CNA observed on Thursday morning several grassroots volunteers and HDB officers speaking with residents of affected units to offer assistance. Mr Mohammad Talip, whose family lives diagonally opposite the site of the blaze, said that last night, he, his wife and their three young children stayed at a community service centre on the first floor of the block run by Jamiyah, a welfare organisation. 'It's not easy to get a unit very fast, right? It takes time,' said the 32-year-old traffic marshall, referring to alternative accommodation. Member of Parliament for Radin Mas SMC Melvin Yong said in a Facebook post late on Wednesday that the priority was to reach out to families of the deceased to render support and assistance, and also to help arrange temporary accommodation for affected residents. Bedding and other essentials, such as food and water, have also been secured by grassroots leaders for affected residents, Mr Yong added. The neighbours told CNA they were not close to the duo in the burned-down unit, as they had just moved in about two weeks ago. They were nonetheless saddened. 'Because we are neighbours, I also feel sad that they passed away even though we were not in close contact,' said Mr Mahmood. 'They were nice people,' said Mr Talip. 'They're very kind, and I was surprised this thing happened.' The Bukit Merah fire follows several other HDB flat fires this year.
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Malay Mail
Battery pack likely cause of Bukit Merah flat fire that killed two, says Singapore Civil Defence Force
SINGAPORE, Aug 14 — A man and a woman in their 30s died after a fire swept through a Bukit Merah flat on August 13, with preliminary findings pointing to a personal mobility device (PMD) battery pack as the likely cause The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said on Facebook that the blaze could have started from a PMD battery pack in the living room. It warned the public against charging batteries for prolonged periods or leaving them unattended overnight, and advised using only original batteries. SCDF said it was alerted to the fire at Block 106, Jalan Bukit Merah, at about 4pm on August 13, The Straits Times reported. By the time firefighters arrived, flames had engulfed the living room and bedroom of a fourth-floor unit. The fire was extinguished using a water jet. Two people were found unconscious in the kitchen and taken to Singapore General Hospital, where they later died. Police identified them as a 34-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman, adding that foul play is not suspected. Two other residents from nearby units were hospitalised — one after feeling unwell and the other for smoke inhalation. In total, about 60 residents were evacuated as a precaution. Neighbour Zelah, 36, said the couple had moved in only a month earlier and were friends of the flat's owner. She recalled seeing a charger for an e-bike delivered to the unit recently. According to SCDF statistics, this brings Singapore's 2025 fire-related death toll to eight — up from five in 2024 and three in 2023. The previous fatal fire occurred in July, when two people were found unconscious in a Toa Payoh flat and later pronounced dead.
