In the quiet neighborhood of Bedok North, tragedy struck on May 13, 2022. What started as an ordinary morning turned into a devastating incident that claimed the lives of three individuals. The cause? An unattended cigarette left for a mere 10 to 15 minutes.
State coroner Adam Nakhoda delivered his findings into their cause of deaths on 22 November and ruled it an unfortunate misadventure, according to The Straits Times.
An unattended cigarette
In the early hours of May 13, 2022, a fire erupted in a flat at Block 409 Bedok North Avenue 2, leading to the untimely demise of Aileen Chan, the homeowner, and two of her tenants – Malaysian Tan Soon Keong and his three-year-old daughter Hui En. State Coroner Adam Nakhoda, in his findings on Nov 22, termed the incident as an unfortunate misadventure.
The fire’s origin was traced back to a cigarette that Mr. Ithnin, Aileen Chan’s boyfriend, left unattended on a stack of cardboard boxes. The lit tip of the cigarette likely ignited the cardboard, setting off a chain reaction that resulted in a raging fire.
The Victims
Aileen Chan, a film producer, and actress, had battled cancer in the past. Tan Soon Keong, a Malaysian tenant, and his daughter Hui En were the other unfortunate victims. The incident left a profound impact on their families, with Mr. Tan’s wife in a vegetative state in a hospital in Kuala Lumpur.
The tragic sequence of events began when Mr. Ithnin, preparing to leave for work, absentmindedly left a lit cigarette on cardboard boxes. Realizing his mistake too late, he attempted to alert Ms. Chan, who retrieved and disposed of the cigarette, unknowingly leaving it unattended for a critical period.
Within 45 minutes, the living room was engulfed in flames. Neighbors alerted the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), who arrived promptly but faced challenges in rescuing those trapped inside due to the intense fire.
The Tragic Outcome
SCDF’s efforts extinguished the fire, but the victims were found in critical condition. Aileen Chan was pronounced dead at the scene, while Mr. Tan and his daughter succumbed to fume inhalation later that morning. No foul play was suspected in any of the deaths.
In June 2023, during the inquiry into the deaths, the police investigation officer shared that Mr. Tan’s wife is unlikely to recover from her vegetative state. State Coroner Nakhoda extended his condolences to the grieving families.