Migrant workers, GP among 18 lauded for bravery in River Valley fire
Eighteen members of the public were recognised on April 15 for their heroic acts during the River Valley fire on April 8.
Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF)'s 1st Division Commander, Colonel Tay Zhi Wei, presented the Community Lifesaver Award to the 18 individuals for their selflessness in rendering help to those in need.
The fire at 278 River Valley Road engulfed the top-two levels of the three-storey shophouse which was home to a children's enrichment centre.
A total of 22 people were injured, including 16 children aged between six and 10.
One of the children, 10-year-old Freya Ji Yinan, died from her injuries.
Rescuers reflect on outcome
Award recipient Shaik Amirudin, 31, described the scene of the fire as "a war zone".
He told The New Paper that he felt honoured by the recognition but also saddened by the news of the girl's death.
"I feel like I don't deserve the award because somebody died," he said.
"I could've done more."
Dr Laura Biffin, a 38-year-old general practitioner who was in her clinic nearby, rushed to the scene and helped assess and comfort the injured children.
"I heard a commotion and I ran outside," recounted the Australian doctor who has been living in Singapore for six years.
"That's when I saw the smoke coming out of the windows, people screaming, everyone asking for help.
"At the time, I wasn't scared or worried. I was very much in a fight-or-flight mode. I was really focused on what I could do, how I could help.
"I feel very humbled and grateful for the award. Obviously, it doesn't take away from the amount of sorrow I feel for Freya and the other children who are in ICU, and their families."
Dr Biffin, whose daughter had attended classes at the centre, added that she felt a "level of disgust" that her daughter was in an environment that was unsafe.
SCDF said in a Facebook post on April 9 that preliminary investigations found unauthorised partitions, among other fire safety breaches, in the shophouse.
An Urban Redevelopment Authority spokesperson confirmed that only the first floor was approved for use as a children's enrichment centre - the upper floors and attic were meant for residential use.
Friends of ACE
The Ministry of Manpower's Assurance, Care and Engagement group awarded the Friends of ACE coins to migrant workers Inderjit Singh, Sivasami Vijayaraj, Nagarajan Anbarasan and Subramanian Saranraj.
Colonel Tay commended all recipients for their swift and collective response. "We thank the members of public who responded that day, even before SCDF's arrival."
List of recipients:
- Mr Chinnappa Kannadasan
- Mr Hasan Emamul
- Mr Shakil Mohammad
- Mr Das Taposh
- Mr Hasan Rajib
- Mr Ravi Kumar
- Mr Varuvel Christopher
- Mr Govindaraj Elangeshwaran
- Mr Muthukumar Mugesh
- Mr Inderjit Singh
- Mr Sivasami Vijayaraj
- Mr Nagarajan Anbarasan
- Mr Subramanian Saranraj
- Mr Islam Shafiqul
- Mr Subramanian Rameshkumar
- Mr Benson Lo
- Mr Shaik Amirudin Bin Kamaludin
- Dr Laura Biffin