20-year-old who died in Woodlands lift fire a 'kind, gentle boy' who helped deliver food to needy: Amrin Amin

A 20-year-old man died in a fire caused by his Personal Mobility Device (PMD) on June 3 night.

The incident happened in the lift of a housing block in Woodlands.

"Kind and gentle boy"

Former Member of Parliament (MP) Amrin Amin paid tribute to the teen as he remembers the young man as a "kind and gentle boy".

The teen helped the ex-MP deliver briyani to needy residents in Woodlands during Ramadan for two consecutive years, he recalled in a Facebook post late on Friday night, June 5.Amrin also urged those who are still using non-UL2272-certified PMDs to dispose of them as they pose as safety hazards.

According to Chinese media Lianhe Zaobao, residents staying in the block said on on June 4 that the teen was caught in the fire when he ran out of the lift at close to midnight.

A resident who heard a loud sound and the teen's screams came to his rescue and helped douse the fire engulfing him before the Singapore Civil Defence Force arrived.

Unfortunately, the teen suffered severe burns and succumbed to his injuries after being sent to the hospital.

The Chinese reporter spoke to his neighbours who said that he was waiting to be enlisted into National Service and had worked as a food delivery personnel to help provide more income for the family.

Extensive damage caused by fire

Sembawang GRC MP Vikram Nair updated in an earlier post on June 4 that the damage caused by the fire is extensive.

The other lift can now be used but the smoke smell lingered.

The town council has been activated to clean the area.

The damage at the faulty lift will take some time to repair, he said.

Top image via Vikram Nair's Facebook