Night; I play my song of requiem

Saturday, August 26, 2006

THREE INJURED IN SHOPHOUSE BLAZE

An early morning fire injured three people when the fire gutted a shophouse at Tampines Lane yesterday which left at least 10 people homeless.

The three people injured were Mr Muthu Maran, Mr Quek Seow Meng and Mr Chee Seng Toh; Mr Muthu is a veteran fireman, Mr Quek Seow Meng is a vegetable seller and Mr Chee Seng Toh is a polytechnic student. Mr Muthu was rushed to Changji Hospital as he had burns on his shoulders and he also sustained minor bruises on his legs. Mr Quek was slightly burnt on both hands and was treated as an outpatient and was sent home after that. Mr Chee suffered a bone ankle and was also treated as an outpatient, he was sent home.

The fire started at about 5.30 pm. Mr Ivan Wong was a resident of one of the shophouses while he was sleeping, he heard shouts of fire. He said, “I was awakened by shouts of help. I saw the plank of walls going up in flames. I quickly took my blanket and started to put out the flames. There was heat and thick smoke everywhere while I managed to run out of the building to call for help.” Mr Ivan Wong escaped unscathed in the fire.

Three families living on the top floor was awakened from their sleep and they rushed out of the burning building. Mr Quek’s hands were burnt when he battled with the flames with his blanket on his way down the wooden stairs as the stairs had caught fire. Mr Chee ran down the stairs and fell, thus breaking his ankle. “We had no time to salvage out belongings and by the time the fire engine arrived, the whole building was engulfed in flames.” Mr Wong said.

The firemen were directing their hoses at the burning building when Mr Muthu entered it and went up the top floor. The floor under him was charred when suddenly collapsed. He plunged 10 metres to the ground. One of his colleagues immediately pulled him to safety. The firemen brought the fire under control after an hour later. The cause of the fire is not known. The police are investigating.

5:07 AM
`playing my own requiem