Tenant continues living in charred apartment due to financial constraints
SINGAPORE: After a fire destroyed the HDB unit she was renting, a woman from China revealed she had no choice but to remain in the damaged flat, unable to afford alternative accommodations.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) responded to the fire at Block 463, Crawford Lane, late on Monday night (Dec 11). Upon arrival, black smoke was seen billowing from a 15th-floor unit. SCDF firefighters from Kallang Fire Station forcibly entered the apartment and extinguished the fire, which was contained to the living room. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and about 35 residents from the block had already evacuated before the SCDF’s arrival.
When reporters from Shin Min Daily News visited the unit the following morning, they found two tenants still occupying one of the bedrooms. Repairs were underway in the hallway and living room, where the fire had caused significant damage.
A Tough Decision
One of the tenants, Chen, said she felt stranded in an unfamiliar city. “I don’t have many friends in Singapore, and I’m not familiar with the place,” she explained. Chen, who had arrived from China only two weeks ago to work as a nightclub singer, shares the unit with a roommate.
Unable to afford a hotel, Chen reluctantly returned to the flat despite the lack of water and electricity. “I came back from work at around 3 am to find the charred apartment,” she said, adding that her financial situation left her with no other option.
Cause of the Fire
Preliminary investigations by the SCDF indicated that the fire originated from the battery pack of a Power Assisted Bicycle (PAB) charging in the living room. The SCDF reminded the public to avoid leaving personal mobility devices (PMDs) or PAB batteries charging overnight or for prolonged periods and advised against using non-original batteries.
The incident highlights the growing concerns over fire safety related to rechargeable devices, as well as the challenges faced by individuals like Chen who lack a support system in a foreign country.
