SCDF officer charged with causing firefighter’s death in Henderson Road fire
A Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) officer, Muhammad Kamil Mohamed Yasin, intends to plead guilty to leaving a full-time national serviceman (NSF) to fight an HDB flat fire alone.
As a result, the NSF suffocated and died.
The 39-year-old SCDF officer is facing one charge of causing grievous hurt by a rash act that endangered life or the personal safety of others.
This tragedy marked the first time a firefighter in Singapore lost their life while responding to a fire.
Source: Obits.sg
Kamil was subsequently charged in October 2023. As per court records, he intends to plead guilty on 15 Jan 2025.
If convicted, he could face up to four years in jail, a fine of up to S$10,000, or both.
SCDF officer to plead guilty for leaving NSF alone in burning unit
Kamil is accused of leaving the fourth-floor unit during the fire, resulting in Sgt 1 Edward Go being left alone in the burning flat without notifying anyone.
He is represented by experienced criminal lawyer Ramesh Tiwary, with the case set to be presided over by District Judge Shawn Ho.
Source: SCDF
In October 2023, police alleged that Kamil violated standard procedures by abandoning Sgt Go in the unit to battle the fire alone.
An autopsy confirmed that Sgt Go’s death was caused by suffocation after his air cylinder was depleted.
Police investigations found no evidence of equipment failure contributing to his death.
The SCDF reported that Sgt Go’s team quickly removed him from the burning flat and performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Paramedics then used an automated external defibrillator before transporting him to Singapore General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
NSF was PES A & certified medically fit before enlistment
The SCDF had stated at the time that Sgt 1 Go was declared medically fit prior to his enlistment and was classified as PES A under the Physical Employment Standard (PES).
During a parliamentary session in January 2023, Minister of State for Home Affairs Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim highlighted Sgt Go’s exemplary performance.
He attained a gold standard in his Individual Physical Proficiency Test and an A grade in his Breathing Apparatus Proficiency Test.
Sgt Go also excelled in all mandatory training courses and participated in nearly 60 fire and rescue operations after being posted to the Central Fire Station in May 2022.
Second SCDF officer under investigation
The SCDF previously disclosed that a second officer has been referred to the police for investigation in connection with the fire.
This officer is accused of failing to adequately ensure the overall safety of the firefighting operation after arriving at the scene and assuming command and control of the incident.
Also read: SCDF firefighter injured after false ceiling falls on him during Geylang condo fire
SCDF firefighter injured after false ceiling falls on him during Geylang condo fire
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Featured image adapted from OBITS.SG, SCDF
