Man reportedly kicked up a commotion while being rescued from Toa Payoh fire
A 61-year-old man was sent to the hospital after his flat caught fire on Sunday (25 Oct) morning.
He is also assisting with police investigations into the blaze that broke out in Block 170 Lor 1 Toa Payoh.
Source: Google Maps
Police & SCDF seen at Toa Payoh block
A Shin Min Daily News reader said that they had seen the police and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) at the block.
Footage shared with the Chinese daily showed at least three fire engines in the carpark, with firefighters setting up hoses.
Three police officers and two firefighters were also spotted outside the back door of a unit on the second floor.
A 57-year-old resident named Ali said he did not see smoke or flames from the flat and realised a fire had broken out only when he saw SCDF trying to break open the door.
Fire involved items in bedroom of Toa Payoh flat
In response to queries from MS News, SCDF said it was alerted to the fire at about 9.20am on 25 Oct.
It involved items in a bedroom of a unit on the second floor of the block.
SCDF had to force their way into the unit and put out the fire using a fire extinguisher.
Source: Singapore Civil Defence Force on Facebook
As a precaution, about 10 people were also evacuated by the police and SCDF.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Man kicked up a commotion while being rescued
Sushila, a 62-year-old neighbour who lives on the same floor as the affected flat, told Shin Min that she saw smoke coming from the unit and did not dare to get closer.
But she had heard the man shouting and screaming, and he had to be dragged out of the flat.
Her granddaughter had seen him kicking a hat on the floor and throwing glass bottles.
61-year-old man sent to SGH, also assisting police probe
The Singapore Police Force (SPF) told MS News that a 61-year-old man was sent to the hospital in a conscious state.
SCDF said it conveyed him to the Singapore General Hospital (SGH).
He is also assisting with ongoing investigations into the offence of causing or contributing to the risk of dangerous fire, SPF added.
Additionally, another person was assessed for minor injuries but declined to be sent to the hospital.
Source: Google Maps
Man likely lives alone, said to get along well with neighbours
The neighbour, Ali, told the Chinese daily that the man is likely to be living alone and was often seen hanging laundry.
Sushila said he has lived in the flat for more than 10 years, and is believed to have previously lived with his mother. His sister visits him occasionally, she added.
He works as a cleaner and travels to work via bicycle, she also revealed.
The neighbour described the man as friendly and on good terms with his neighbours, adding:
He often helps me collect my delivery packages so they don’t get taken by other, and even helped out when we were clean our flat.
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Featured image adapted from Google Maps.
