In the early hours of this morning (17 July), at approximately 3:30 a.m., the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) received an urgent alert regarding a raging fire at 124 Pioneer Road.

The fire, which erupted on the second floor of the building, quickly spread, engulfing a large office space and filling the premises with thick, suffocating smoke.

SCDF personnel rushed to the scene, geared up with breathing apparatus sets and ready to tackle the fierce inferno.

A mammoth operation unfolded, deploying a total of 13 emergency vehicles and involving around 50 firefighters.

Two powerful water jets were set utilised to combat the fire, with two additional water jets strategically positioned outside the structure, aiding in the containment process and preventing the fire from further escalation.

The fire was successfully extinguished at approximately 4:30 a.m., bringing relief to the worried residents and businesses in the vicinity.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported in connection with the incident.

As of now, the cause of the fire remains unknown and is currently under investigation by relevant authorities.

As the investigation progresses, updates will be released to the public to ensure transparency and maintain awareness regarding fire safety.

Singapore Civil Defence Force’s statement

[Fire @ 124 Pioneer Road]

Earlier this morning (17 July) at about 3:30 a.m., SCDF was alerted to a fire at the abovementioned location.

Upon SCDF’s arrival, the fire had engulfed a large office on the second floor of a building.

Donning breathing apparatus sets, SCDF firefighters entered the smoke-logged building with two water jets and commenced the firefighting operation. Additionally, two water jets were set up at the exterior of the building to help contain the fire. The fire was extinguished at about 4:30 a.m.

This operation involved the deployment of 13 emergency vehicles and about 50 firefighters.

There were no reported injuries.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan Jin has officially resigned from his position as Speaker, as well as resigning from his post as a Member of Parliament (MP) and also from the People’s Action Party (PAP).

Prime Minister’s Office statement

STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER LEE HSIEN LOONG ON
SPEAKER TAN CHUAN‐JIN’S RESIGNATION

1. Speaker Tan Chuan‐Jin resigned today as Speaker, as Member of Parliament, and also as a member of the People’s Action Party.
2. I have accepted Mr Tan’s resignation from the People’s Action Party. His resignation is necessary, to maintain the high standards of propriety and personal conduct which the PAP has upheld all these years. My exchange of
   letters with him is attached.
3. I thank Mr Tan for having been a member of my team, and wish him and his family all the best in his next phase of life.
4. In place of Mr Tan, Mr Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, Second Minister for Law and MP for Marine Parade GRC will take care of the residents in Kembangan‐Chai Chee ward in Marine Parade GRC.
   . . . . .
   PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE
   17 JULY 2023

Tan Chuan Jin’s letter to PM Lee

Dear Prime Minister Lee,

I am writing to resign as a member of the People’s Action Party, and to inform you of my resignation as Speaker of Parliament and Member of Parliament (MP) for Marine Parade GRC with immediate effect.

Recently, I made a mistake in Parliament when I uttered words which were rude and unparliamentary in nature. This was wrong and I have apologized publicly for it. I have also spoken to the MP concerned to convey my apologies. Deservedly, there has been much disquiet over my remarks. Many felt that I was not impartial. Others felt that it was conduct unbecoming of a Speaker of Parliament. Some have also called for my resignation.

When such mistakes happen, all Members, myself included, will have to apologize and withdraw their comments. However, as Speaker, I should have known better and held myself to higher standards. The issue at hand isn’t just about the mistake itself. My mistake raised broader questions over my neutrality and impartiality as Speaker. The credibility of Parliament and the Chair is critical and cannot be compromised.

For me personally, this recent episode has added to the hurt I have caused my family. I have let them down. We have spoken about my personal conduct before. There are areas where I have fallen short. I need to take responsibility for them, and help heal my family. We need space to recover and work through the issues. I have discussed the matter with my wife and agreed I must step away from politics and devote myself to my family.

I apologize to my fellow Singaporeans, residents, volunteers, colleagues and friends for having let them down.

I am deeply grateful for your leadership, support and guidance over the years, as I am for the friendship and cooperation of my fellow MPs in Parliament.

PM Lee’s reply

Dear Chuan Jin,

Thank you for your letter asking to resign from the People’s Action Party, and for informing me of your decision to step down as Speaker of Parliament and Member of Parliament for Marine Parade GRC.

I appreciate your admission that you have fallen short in the matter of your personal conduct, and understand your desire to step away from politics and help heal your family. I have spoken to you previously on this. You admitted that what you did was wrong and offered to resign. I accepted, with your resignation to take place after I had made arrangements to continue to take care of the residents in Marine Parade GRC and your own Kembangan-Chai Chee ward.

As for your recent remarks in Parliament, you have apologised both publicly and to the Member of Parliament (MP) concerned, and the MP has accepted your apology. But your uttering them as Speaker In the Chair made this a more serious matter.

1 am saddened that you are not leaving politics In happier circumstances. But your resignation is necessary, to maintain the high standards of propriety and personal conduct which the PAP has upheld all these years.

I therefore accept your resignation from the People’s Action Party with immediate effect.

I thank you for having been a member of my PAP team, and wish you and your family all the best in your next phase of life.

Source: Prime Minister’s Office Singapore

Updates

Recap

Similar news

A fire broke out at Block 243 Serangoon Avenue 2 yesterday, 16th July, causing concern and prompting a swift response from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). The fire occurred at approximately 6:10 p.m. in a bedroom on the seventh floor of the residential building.

Upon receiving the alert, SCDF firefighters were dispatched to the scene promptly. On arrival, they found the flames engulfing the bedroom in a unit on the seventh floor. Acting quickly, firefighters used both a water jet and a Compressed Air Foam (CAF) backpack to successfully extinguish the fire.

Thankfully, no occupants were inside the unit at the time of the incident, ensuring there were no injuries to residents. However, SCDF firefighters discovered a cat trapped in the living room of the affected unit. The cat was skillfully rescued and brought to safety by the courageous firefighters.

As a precautionary measure, eight residents from neighbouring units were temporarily evacuated by the Police to ensure their safety during the firefighting operation.

Based on preliminary investigations, authorities suspect that the fire’s cause was of electrical origin, originating from the affected room.

SCDF’s statement

[Fire @ Block 243 Serangoon Avenue 2]

Earlier today (16 July) at about 6:10 p.m., SCDF was alerted to a fire at the abovementioned location.

Upon SCDF’s arrival, the fire was raging inside a bedroom of a unit on the seven floor. The fire was extinguished by firefighters using a water jet and a Compressed Air Foam (CAF) backpack. No one was inside the unit at the time of fire.

A cat was found in the living room of the affected unit by SCDF firefighters and brought out to safety.

Eight residents from the neighbouring units were evacuated by the Police as a precautionary measure.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the fire is likely to have been caused by an electrical origin in the affected room.

SCDF would like to remind the public on good practices to prevent electrical fires from occurring:

a) Do not overload electrical outlets with electrical appliances;

b) Always switch off appliances when they are not in use;

c) Check the appliance for frayed wires or cracked cords. If observed, the appliance should be repaired or replaced. Do not use faulty appliances;

d) Do not run wires under carpets or mats and keep wires away from hot surfaces;

e) Use appliances and electrical plugs bearing the Safety Mark. The categories of appliances can be found at http://www.consumerproductsafety.gov.sg ;

f) Do not leave batteries or devices charging unattended for an extended period of time or overnight.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) will be distributing 6 Antigen Rapit Test kits (ART) to all households in Singapore as the country looks to refresh their national stockpile.

The distribution will take place from today (17 July) to 30 September.

MOH Press Release

FIFTH ROUND OF NATIONWIDE ANTIGEN RAPID TEST KIT DISTRIBUTION TO BEGIN ON 17 JULY

The Ministry of Health (MOH) will distribute COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test (ART) kits to all residential households from 17 July to 30 September 2023. Each household will receive six ART tests.

2. The ART kits will be drawn from our national stockpile, which was built to mitigate supply chain disruptions and sudden surges in usage. As the stockpile needs to be refreshed to maintain resiliency, the current batch of ART kits have a remaining shelf life of about six months.
3. The distributed ART kits are expected to expire in the first quarter of 2024. Their usable period can still cover the year-end, coinciding with the northern hemisphere winter season, during which respiratory viruses including influenza and COVID-19 may spread more easily globally. Many also take overseas vacations during this period and the kits will help families to take additional precautions where needed.
4. Everyone plays a part in being socially responsible. With the shift towards COVID-19 endemicity, Singaporeans are reminded to take measures to protect themselves and their families, especially seniors and medically vulnerable persons.
5. Persons who test positive with an ART test should regard themselves as being infected with COVID-19. They should avoid close contact with others while still symptomatic, and may return to normal activities when their symptoms resolve. If there is a need to go out while symptomatic, they should wear a mask when leaving home, minimise social interactions and avoid crowded places. Those who are medically vulnerable or with severe, prolonged or worsening acute respiratory infection (ARI) symptoms should see a doctor.
6. We encourage eligible persons to receive the recommended vaccine doses. Persons aged five years and above who have not completed their minimum protection of vaccinations are urged to do so. In addition, individuals aged 60 years and above and medically vulnerable persons are recommended to receive the updated bivalent vaccine booster around one year after their last booster dose. They can start to receive it from five months after their last booster dose.