A devastating fire broke out in a Dakota HDB corridor on Monday morning, leaving a 66-year-old man hospitalized for smoke inhalation. The blaze, which occurred at around 9am at Block 52 Cassia Crescent, involved items along the fourth-floor common corridor and was eventually extinguished using a hosereel.
According to Shin Min Daily News, the elderly man was seen being stretchered into an ambulance, conscious but struggling to breathe. Residents of the block claim that the fire was started by the man himself, who had been burning plastic items in the corridor. The corridor’s walls and ceiling were left blackened, with ash covering the ground, and several burnt and damaged bicycles were seen at the end of the corridor, where the fire appeared to have originated.
The victim, who lived alone and was known to be withdrawn and rarely interacted with his neighbors, was conveyed to Singapore General Hospital (SGH) for treatment. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, with police investigations ongoing.
The incident resulted in the evacuation of around 50 people from the block, with the Police and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) working together to ensure everyone’s safety. The fire serves as a stark reminder of the importance of fire safety and the potential consequences of reckless behavior. As the investigation continues, the community is left to wonder what led to this tragic event and how it could have been prevented.
Top image from Lianhe Zaobao