63-year-old Loh Fu Wah, was previously charged with one count of negligently causing a fire, and he pleaded guilty in court on 17 January.
Loh, who had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease sometime around April 2020, was then diagnosed with a mental illness and prescribed anti-depressants.
But the medicine didn’t help and he remained in a “persistent low mood”.
Loh had drunk alcohol on 28 January 2022 while cleaning his flat with kerosene, and he sent a message to his family saying goodbye and expressing his love for them.
He then lit a cigarette and started smoking, before dropping it because he felt tired, and it then started a fire.
Loh’s daughter pleaded with the Singapore Civil Defence Force officers to save him as he was still inside the burning flat, and he was eventually rescued unconscious.
Loh was sent to the hospital for smoke inhalation, before being warded at IMH from 4 February to July 2022.
A pre-sentencing report has been asked by the prosecution to assess Loh’s suitability for a mandatory treatment order, and the case has been adjourned to February.