2 flats on different floors in Punggol block catch fire in 1 night, 1 family & 2 others rushed to help twice

A family in Punggol was celebrating a birthday and playing games on May 1 when they noticed a burning smell.

They rushed out to investigate and saw smoke billowing from a corner unit on the ninth floor, just one level below theirs.

Speaking to Mothership, 43-year-old Shikin said her family immediately sprang into action, calling 995 before heading downstairs to help.

The incident, which took place at Block 223A Sumang Lane, was the first of two fires that broke out that evening.

About an hour later, Shikin found herself helping residents evacuate once again.

First fire

Shikin said the family had been celebrating her mother’s birthday and playing games when her sister-in-law detected the burning smell.

The moment was captured on video by a family member who had been filming their game.

After calling 995, the family decided to do more to help.

Shikin, her two sons, aged 18 and 19, and her sister attempted to use the ninth-floor fire hose to put out the fire.

However, they faced some difficulties turning the hose knob, and the smoke was growing thicker by the second, Shikin recounted.

As the commotion escalated, two young men, Muhammad Syaziq and Muhammad Nurhisyam, came forward to help.

Together with Shikin and her sister, they managed to deploy the fire hose from the 10th floor instead and began to attempt putting out the flames.

Meanwhile, her sons, Irfan and Izzan, alerted residents on the 10th and eighth floors about the fire.

They also retrieved wet towels for the two men to cover their faces.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) arrived shortly after.

Second fire

Shikin said she and her sons later gathered on the ground floor, where paramedics and fire engines were already on site.

While being assessed for injuries, someone ran over to alert them to another fire — this time on the fourth floor.

This second blaze was larger in scale than the first.

Despite this, Shikin and her sons sprang back into action, helping to alert residents and guide them to safety.

Fortunately, firefighters were already present and were able to respond immediately, Shikin said.

In a video taken by another resident, an SCDF officer could be seen battling the blaze from the corridor, as flames engulfed the unit.

The exterior walls surrounding the affected flat were visibly charred.

Four taken to hospital

In response to Mothership’s queries, SCDF said it was alerted to a fire on the ninth floor at about 6:50pm, and to another in a fourth-floor bedroom at about 7:40pm.

Both fires were extinguished using hose reels.

Four people were assessed for smoke inhalation and taken to hospital.

Two firefighters who felt unwell during the operation were also conveyed to hospital as a precaution. They have since been discharged.

Kampung spirit

When asked if they felt afraid at any point, Shikin said they simply focused on helping others.

“All we knew was that we needed to help and save,” she said, adding that it comes naturally to look out for one another, especially within the community.

“We believe that if you help someone today, then in the future, when you need help, someone might return the favour,” she added.

She also praised the two young men who stepped in without hesitation, as well as many others who rendered help that day.

In fact, her sister had just very recently given birth, but did not hesitate to jump in to help as well, she shared.

As for her sons, Shikin said she and her husband have always taught them how to respond in emergencies, which may have contributed to their quick thinking that day.