In a heart-pounding incident that unfolded in the serene neighborhood of Hougang, Singapore, an elderly pair of siblings narrowly escaped a dreadful fate when their cozy two-bedroom flat became engulfed in flames.
It was a seemingly ordinary Friday, September 29, when disaster struck and the residents of Block 376B Hougang Street 32 had to evacuate due to the fire.
The elderly siblings thankfully managed to avoid the fire because they had a doctor’s appointment at the time and were not at home, according to Shin Min Daily News.
A Terrifying Ordeal Unfolds
The Fire’s Start
The clock struck 1 pm when the first flicker of the disaster began. The flat, owned by Mr. Chen and his sister, remained unassuming until that moment.
The siblings had left their home earlier in the day for a routine doctor’s appointment, unaware of the impending catastrophe. It was at this precise moment that their flat became a blazing inferno.
A fellow resident, Mr. Huang, residing in the same block, recounted the terrifying scene. He described how black smoke and flames erupted from the unit, and the chilling sound of glass shattering reverberated through the corridor. The entire building was soon filled with a sense of dread and urgency.
The owner of the charred unit, Mr. Chen, shared his experience with the local Chinese daily. He vividly recalled the moment they returned home after their doctor’s appointment.
He said that he was pushing his wheelchair-bound sister out of their lift landing and when they reached their front door, they saw thick black smoke coming out of the unit, and they then hurried to the ground floor, where the SCDF soon arrived.
The cause of the fire remained a baffling mystery to them. Mr. Chen admitted he wasn’t sure why such a devastating incident could have occurred in their home, leaving them in shock and disbelief.
Recap
In the heart of Singapore’s Hougang neighborhood, a typical afternoon on 29 September took a dramatic turn when a fire broke out in a residential building.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) swiftly responded to the emergency, ensuring the safety of residents and containing the blaze.
A Sudden Crisis Unfolds
The incident occurred at approximately 1:15 pm at Block 376B Hougang Street 32. This peaceful residential area was suddenly thrust into chaos as flames and thick, billowing smoke engulfed a second-storey Housing Board flat. Passers-by were left in shock as they witnessed the unfolding drama.
The SCDF wasted no time and firefighters arrived at the scene armed with water jets and hose reels, ready to combat the raging inferno.
Ensuring the Safety of Residents
The safety of residents is always a top priority in such situations. In this case, the police and SCDF worked seamlessly to evacuate approximately 50 people from the affected block to ensure they stayed out of harm’s way.
Assessing Smoke Inhalation
Amid the chaos, one person was assessed by SCDF personnel for smoke inhalation. While the situation was undoubtedly stressful, the individual chose not to be taken to the hospital.
As the fire was extinguished and the immediate danger averted, attention turned to the cause of this unexpected incident.
An investigation is now underway to determine the source and circumstances surrounding the fire. The outcome of this inquiry will shed light on what led to this unfortunate event.