SCDF reservist rushes into burning Tampines flat to rescue wheelchair-bound neighbour

A fire broke out at around 11pm on Jan. 9 in a unit on the 12th floor of Block 898 Tampines Street 81.

About 60 residents were evacuated from the flat, and four people were taken to Singapore General Hospital for smoke inhalation, Shin Min Daily News reported.

A 25-year-old man has since earned praise for his quick actions after he rushed into the burning flat and rescued a wheelchair-bound woman trapped inside.

Second fire in Tampines that night

This was the second home fire in Tampines on Saturday.

A fire broke out at The Santorini condominium in Tampines earlier that night after 9pm.

Decisive rescue efforts

Speaking to Shin Min, the man’s mother said she was at home on the seventh floor when she heard cries for help from a nearby block.

“At first I couldn’t hear clearly, but I vaguely heard someone shouting that there was a fire on the 12th floor,” the 55-year-old said.

Upon hearing this, her son immediately went upstairs to check.

He then found a woman in a wheelchair, who was unable to escape the smoke-filled unit.

“In that critical moment, my son covered his mouth and nose with his clothes and rushed into the fire through the thick smoke,” the woman said.

The rescuer later returned home smelling of smoke and was preparing to shower when police arrived and ordered residents to evacuate the block.

He was subsequently taken to the hospital for observation due to smoke inhalation.

The woman said her son was admitted at around 1am and required 12 hours of observation, adding that he was unable to eat at the time.

Previously served with SCDF

She shared that her son had previously served with the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) during his national service and was discharged about a year ago.

"He knew what to do because of his experience," she said. "I am incredibly proud of my son."

The man has since been discharged and is making a full recovery.

A neighbour on the 12th floor said the affected unit was believed to house an elderly couple in their 60s and their daughter, who uses a wheelchair.

Residents were reportedly allowed back into their homes about an hour after the fire was brought under control.

SCDF confirmed that the fire was concentrated in the living room of the unit and was extinguished using a water hose.

Preliminary investigations suggest the fire may have been linked to mobility aids.

Top image via Shin Min Daily News and Masagos Zulkifli on Facebook