Joo Seng HDB fire: Man, 44, allegedly started fire in flat he shared with parents, arrested for mischief by fire

The 44-year-old man who was arrested for mischief by fire, after a blaze broke out at a Housing Development Board (HDB) block in Joo Seng on May 4, allegedly caused the fire in the unit he shared with his parents.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) was alerted to the fire at Block 14, Joo Seng Road at about 9:40pm on Monday.

Upon arrival, firefighters found an 18th-floor unit fully engulfed in flames.

SCDF said the fire was subsequently extinguished using two water jets.

Eight people were assessed for smoke inhalation and taken to Singapore General Hospital (SGH).

Two firefighters who felt unwell during the operation were also conveyed to SGH as a precaution.

Son allegedly the one who started the fire

Speaking to Chinese-language daily Shin Min Daily News, residents revealed that the unit in which the fire occurred was home to an elderly couple and their son.

A 58-year-old resident, surnamed He (transliteration), said once she learned of the fire, she quickly gathered her eight cats, a pet bird, and headed downstairs with her father and brother.

She later spotted the female homeowner of the affected unit sitting by the roadside and learned that it was her unit that had caught on fire.

She claimed that the female homeowner, who worked as a home-based hairdresser, said her son may have been burning something and started the blaze.

Another resident on the second floor of the block said that after the fire broke out, his wife heard the family of three from the affected unit arguing downstairs.

"I thought I heard that the fire was related to the son," she said.

The father and son from the affected unit were later observed speaking with police officers downstairs and the son was subsequently arrested.

According to SCDF, preliminary investigations indicate the fire may have been deliberately started.

Grandmother fled barefoot

A woman later took to social media to share that her parents and 80-year-old grandmother lived on the 19th floor of the block, Shin Min reported.

She said the corridor was filled with thick smoke at the time, and her grandmother had run down the stairs barefoot to escape.

"When I arrived, I saw my grandmother covered in sweat, out of breath, and even crying," she said.

She thanked paramedics and neighbours for their assistance, and further alleged that the man involved had been a source of ongoing disturbance to residents.

She claimed he would burn incense nightly and flash warning lights, adding that complaints to the authorities had yielded no results.

She recalled smelling it when she visited the affected unit for a haircut previously, adding that the female homeowner had apologised and turned on a fan.

"She said that because of this problem, some customers have stopped coming."

Multiple residents noted the affected unit had been heavily cluttered, with belongings leaving only a narrow passageway through the living room.

One resident said many of the items belonged to the son, who had studied overseas and returned home after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Parents initially reluctant to seek medical attention

According to Shin Min, Potong Pasir MP Alex Yeo had visited the block that Monday night.

The elderly male homeowner was initially reluctant to seek medical attention, but agreed after Yeo's persuasion.

He and his wife were subsequently taken to the hospital for examination.

Yeo told Shin Min that all residents requiring medical care had been attended to, and that HDB would be making arrangements for affected households.

Grassroots volunteers also provided food and drinks to those affected.