A tragic fire at a River Valley shophouse claimed the life of a 10-year-old girl and injured 21 others on 8 April 2024. The quick actions of several migrant workers, who rushed to help rescue children trapped on the third-floor window ledge, have garnered widespread praise and recognition.
Details of the Incident
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) received an alert about the fire at 9:45 am. Reports indicate the shophouse, an education centre run by the Orange Mood Group, was filled with children that morning for a holiday camp. As thick smoke billowed from the building, about 80 individuals were evacuated from the premises.
- Three children were found unconscious; despite rescue efforts, one tragically passed away.
- Firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze within 30 minutes using three water jets.
- Four migrant workers courageously assisted in evacuating children from the ledge before emergency services arrived.
Acknowledging Bravery
The Ministry of Manpower’s Assurance, Care and Engagement (ACE) group awarded the migrant workers—Inderjit Singh, Subramanian Saranraj, Nagarajan Anbarasan, and Sivasami Vijayaraj—for their actions. They received the Friends of ACE coins for their exceptional bravery during this crisis.
“I have two children at home. When I saw the children’s faces and crying, I just thought ‘We need to help'” — Subramanian Saranraj, supervisor.
Community Response
The incident sparked a wave of appreciation from the public, with many online commenters highlighting the workers’ selflessness. On the same day, SCDF announced they would also award the SCDF Community Lifesaver Award to those who assisted with the rescue.
Preliminary investigations suggest the fire may have started in a storage area on the second storey, with findings indicating potential fire safety violations, including unauthorized renovations.
As the probe continues, responsible parties may face significant penalties, including fines and possible imprisonment.