Student, 21, helps put out recycling bin fire in Tampines after getting myResponder app notification

A recycling bin caught fire at Block 396 Tampines Avenue 7 on Nov. 29, 2024.

University student Lukas Ho was having an early lunch and preparing to head to school when he saw an alert about the fire on the myResponder app.

Without hesitation, he sprang into action.

Despite the fire being a kilometre away, Ho and his mother grabbed two of their personal fire extinguishers and drove to the scene.

When they arrived, they were confronted by the largest fire they had ever encountered, with black smoke billowing above the HDB block.

Undeterred, Ho managed to extinguish the fire, despite sustaining minor injuries.

This was not Ho’s first encounter with emergencies.

Speaking to Mothership, he recounted his journey to becoming a Community First Responder (CFR) and his motivation for helping others.

Interest sparked in secondary school

Ho's interest in emergency response began in Secondary Four when he was a member of the National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC).

Through the co-curricular activity, he was exposed to first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) courses.

When the school introduced him to the myResponder app, it was a no-brainer for the then-16-year-old to join.

myResponder is an application by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) to alert members of the public to nearby fire and medical cases so that those nearby can quickly attend to such cases in the first few critical minutes.

Members of the public who are registered are called Community First Responders (CFR).

First ever case

Ho vividly remembers his first response to a cardiac arrest case.

"It was in the middle of the night, and I was a bit intimidated. I didn’t know what to do when the phone alarm rang," he shared.

He asked his older brother to accompany him, and together, they responded to the case.

"Doing CPR for the first time on an actual human being is much scarier than doing on the doll, because you experience things like ribs cracking and the person feeling cold," Ho said.

Unfortunately, by the time they arrived, the victim had been unconscious for too long and could not be saved.

Dedication to volunteering

Despite that experience, Ho has continued volunteering as a CFR for the past five years.

"The first few minutes of an emergency is the most critical," said Ho, explaining why his role is important.

His efforts have earned him several awards for his dedication and bravery.

Facing the fire at Tampines

The fire at Tampines was one of the most challenging incidents Ho had encountered.

When he arrived, the recycling bin was already completely engulfed in flames, with the fire spreading to nearby areas.

He quickly used up one fire extinguisher and was halfway through the second when molten plastic splashed onto his hands, leaving him with blisters.

Realising that their two extinguishers might not be enough, Ho and his mother unlocked the central refuse chute to access a water hose.

They also used a nearby bucket to carry water, making multiple trips to douse the flames.

After several attempts, they successfully extinguished the fire.

When asked if he felt any fear, Ho replied that his only focus was on putting out the fire.

Motivations

Ho shared that his role as a CFR is his way of giving back to the community.

As a full-time university student who also runs a small media business, Ho has limited time for other forms of volunteering.

Responding to myResponder alerts is something he prioritises diligently.

Recently, he responded to another case in Tampines, where he discovered a man who had passed away.

Although he was unable to help in that situation, Ho remains committed to making a difference wherever possible.

"It’s very fulfilling to serve the community and to have saved someone’s life or to help people living in the estate," Ho said.

Top photos from Irynn Ho