Man, 56, woman, 61, who died in Toa Payoh fire, reportedly cousins

A man, 56, and a woman, 61, who died in a fire that broke out in their three-room flat at Block 173 Lorong 1 Toa Payoh on Jul. 22, are cousins.

The duo were pronounced dead at the scene by a Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) paramedic.

The police said both victims were found lying motionless in the second-floor unit when the SCDF arrived at about 7:30pm.

Trapped in toilet

According to Shin Min Daily News, both victims were found in the flat's bathroom.

They were found unresponsive by firefighters.

Eyewitnesses said two blue police tents were set up at the foot of the block.

Another three people from nearby units were sent to Singapore General Hospital (SGH) due to smoke inhalation, Shin Min reported.

Male occupant often played with fire

A cleaner working in the area claimed that the male occupant of the flat was previously seen throwing tissue paper set on fire out of the rear window on multiple occasions.

When the cleaner yelled at the man on one occasion, he allegedly left the scene.

The lit tissue paper allegedly fell near the bicycle stand at the foot of the block, which the cleaner said he extinguished with a broom.

The cleaner also told reporters that he saw the same man light a kerosene lamp in the home on Tuesday, Jul. 15, near a pile of newspapers.

When the cleaner allegedly warned the man about the dangers of causing a fire, the man allegedly ignored him, according to Shin Min.

A similar occurrence happened again two days later, prompting the cleaner to report the situation to his supervisor, he said.

Hoarded discarded items

Residents of neighbouring flats also told reporters that they recalled seeing piles of disused items in the unit, Shin Min reported.

One neighbour said the male occupant, who reportedly moved into the flat one-and-a-half years ago, frequently collected various discarded items left in public and piled them in his home and along the corridor.

Neighbours had to hold their breath when passing by, one resident in the block said.

An elderly woman, who was living in the flat, had reportedly moved out and into a nursing home after the man moved in.

Authorities were reportedly called to the scene previously due to disputes between the neighbours and within the unit, but there had been no improvement to the situation, Shin Min added.

The man was also often seen smoking and drinking outside his home, as well as arguing with others and occasionally throwing uneaten food down the block.

Investigations into the cause of the fire are still ongoing, the police said.

Top images via Shin Min Daily News