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adding on to ashani and Rachel! (must watch, not clickbait)

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adding on to ashani and Rachel! (must watch, not clickbait)

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https://goodyfeed.com/tampines-crash-drink-driving-mercedes/

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Even though it's been over a year since it occurred, I'm sure many of us still remember how horrifying this accident in Tampines was.

I'm talking about the fatal crash that took place at the junction between Tampines Avenue 1 and Tampines Avenue 10 on 23 December 2021.

The accident involved a Mercedes driver who crashed his car with the car plate number SKU5916J into four cars and a motorcyclist, and one of the drivers ended up being killed.

In total, there were seven victims as a result of the accident.

The perpetrator, Mr Jeremiah Ng En You, currently faces five charges involving these victims under the Troad Traffic Act.

In particular, Ng, 34, faces a charge of drink-driving and dangerous driving, which ultimately caused the passing of Mr Kenn Wong Mun Soon, one of the other drivers at the scene.

Apart from that, he is also facing charges of dangerous driving causing hurt to four others and dangerous driving causing grievous hurt to a motorcyclist, as well as a fifth charge of dangerous driving which caused him to crash into a car.

Apart from the fifth charge mentioned, the remaining victims have since been named in court.

Ng, who was charged in October last year, is currently out on bail of $15,000.

His pre-trial conference will be held on 20 January.

Here's what you need to know.

What Happened

The accident occurred at around 11.15 pm on 23 December 2021, after Ng's Mercedes A180 crashed into Mr Wong's car.

At that time, Ng apparently drove his car at a speed of 92km/h even though the speed limit on that road was 60km/h.

During the time of the crash, Mr Wong's car was situated at the rightmost lane of a four-lane road and was stationary.

After Ng crashed into Mr Wong, Mr Wong's car collided with a taxi, a motorcycle and another unnamed vehicle.

This caused the driver of the taxi, Mr Kamsani Tarseelim, and Truong Manh Quang, the driver of the other car, to be injured. Mr Tarseelim is a 41-year-old Indonesian, while Truong Manh Quang is a 39-year-old Vietnamese.

The motorcyclist, 24-year-old Mahmud Azmani Fikri Mahmod Fuao, also sustained injuries.

Apart from that, the two people sitting in the rear passenger seats of Mr Wong's car also ended up injured. They are Mr Sim Hong Wee, 24, and Mr Darren Ng Zi Yuan, 23.

According to video footage of the accident, two cars were speeding along that road before a red Mercedes crashed through a railing near a traffic light.

After being called to the scene, officers from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) had to use hydraulic rescue equipment to rescue Mr Wong as he was trapped in his seat.

Unfortunately, he was unconscious when he was sent to Changi General Hospital and passed away in the hospital afterwards.

After the incident, Ng was initially arrested by the police for dangerous driving causing death.

However, according to court documents, the police later found that Ng apparently had at least 42 microgrammes (mcg) of alcohol in 100ml of breath.

For reference, the prescribed limit in Singapore is 35mcg, and drivers with a blood alcohol level above that are deemed to have been drink-driving.

Lawsuits Filed Against Ng

On the other hand, Mr Wong's sister has also filed a lawsuit against Ng.

His sister, Rachel Wong, is the administrator of Mr Wong's estate, and she is suing Ng on behalf of Mr Wong's dependents as well. His dependents include his 27-year-old Vietnamese wife and 85-year-old mother.

Two other individuals have also filed their own separate lawsuits, and the lawsuits seek to claim over $290,000 from Ng in total.

Based on the statement of claim that was filed in a district court last September, Ms Wong disclosed that her brother earned a living by giving private art lessons and being a private-hire driver for Grab and Gojek.

She added that her brother was 59 years old at the time of his passing.

Monetary Losses Caused to Victims

According to court documents, Mr Wong married his wife in 2017.

He had intended for his wife to relocate to Singapore permanently and would give her $450 every month.

Apart from that, he would also give his mother an allowance of $390 every month.

Besides Mr Wong, Mr Darren Ng Zi Yuan is also seeking damages from Ng.

Mr Darren Ng, one of the passengers in Mr Wong's car, is seeking to claim over $1,333 for his medical expenses and the replacement of his spectacles and mobile phone.

Another man, 41-year-old Muhammad Fariz Sa'adon, is also seeking claims for his medical expense and loss of income. He claimed that he was the driver of a car that Ng had collided with.

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In Singapore, first-time offenders who are caught drunk driving may be penalised with a maximum fine of $10,000, jailed for up to a year, or both.

This applies even if no accidents occur.

Drivers caught driving under the influence of alcohol may also be disqualified from driving for two years for their first offence.

Those found guilty of dangerous driving causing death for the first time face a maximum of eight years in jail, with the minimum sentence being two years.

They may also be disqualified from driving for ten years or longer.

Those who commit the offence a second time will face a minimum of four years in jail, with the maximum sentence being 15 years in jail.

Read Also:
Featured Image: Facebook (SG Road Vigilante - SGRV)

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Mercs Driver in Viral Fatal Crash Video Was Drink-Driving

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Even though it's been over a year since it occurred, I'm sure many of us still remember how horrifying this accident in Tampines was. I'm talking about the fatal crash that took place at the junction between Tampines Avenue 1 and Tampines Avenue 10 on 23 December 2021.

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1. Air pollution occurred due to many cars using diessel, which produces alot of air pollutants.
2. It will interfere with human health and cause global warming.
3. Main sources is emmissions from industries and motor vehicles. Out of 98 countries singapore is ranked 52nd for worst air pollution level.

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1. drinking while driving, running red lights
2. Traffic accidents and injury/death
3. the number of speeding-related accidents increased by 14.2 per cent, from 984 cases in 2021 to 1,124 in 2022.

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a) burning vegetation as carbon dioxide and other pollutants are emitted into the air when vegetation burns, as well as exhaust emissions produced by vehicles such as nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide which causes air pollution
b) air pollution could cause respiratory infections, heart diseases and lung cancer to people. High levels of exposure to nitrogen dioxide could also lead to higher risks of asthma in children and lung function decline in adults.
c) Singapore ranked as having the 52nd worst air pollution levels of the 98 countries

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(1) The hazard may occur as many people prefer to take their personal transport rather then taking public transport thus the increase of personal transport which causes the increase of carbon dioxide emissions
(2) With the increase of CO2 emissions, it can contribute to global warming
(3) The main sources of air pollution in Singapore are emissions from the industries and motor vehicles. From time to time, transboundary smoke haze from land and forest fires in the region also affect Singapore's air quality, particularly during the Southwest monsoon period from August to October.

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1. unattended cooking, faulty electrical appliances and wiring which can ignite nearby flammable materials resulting in a fire
(fire hazard)
2. burning of objects causing air pollution (air pollution hazard)
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/two-people-taken-to-hospital-after-pmd-fire-at-hougang-flat

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Two people taken to hospital after PMD fire at Hougang flat

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SINGAPORE - Two people were taken to hospital and about 20 people were evacuated after a flat in Hougang caught fire on Wednesday afternoon. Read more at straitstimes.com.

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the main sources of air pollution in Singapore are emissions from the industries and motor vehicles. air pollution can cause serious medical conditions such as one in three deaths from strokes , lung cancer etc. according to NEA , 22 fixed air quality monitoring stations are located across 5 regions to monitor air quality , which is then published on NEA and haze websites. from earthreminder.com

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https://www.nea.gov.sg/our-services/pollution-control/air-pollution/air-pollution-regulations
Air pollution occur due to the presence of contaminate or pollutants substances in the air that do not disperse properly and hence interfere with human hea!th, welfare or produce other harmful environmental effects.
Vehicles like cars produce a significant amounts of exhaust emission:nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and other pollutants.

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Motor vehicles are a major source of air pollution. To control the emissions generated by motor vehicles and safeguard public health, NEA sets exhaust emission and fuel quality standards for all vehicles which are prescribed in the regulations (details at links below).

Euro VI Emission Standard for new and used imported vehicles

All new and used petrol or diesel vehicles imported for registration in Singapore shall comply with the Euro VI emission standards (see link for more information).

Worldwide Harmonised Light-duty Test Procedure (WLTP)
On 1 April 2023, Singapore adopted the WLTP as the sole test procedure for Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs). For passenger cars (including taxis), the full switch to WLTP will take effect from 1 January 2024. This is an effort to harmonise worldwide testing cycles and better reflect real-world driving conditions. By adopting the WLTP, Singapore will provide a more uniform procedure to measure emissions from new vehicles, similar to EU and Japan (see link for more information).
Euro IV Emission Standard for new and used imported motorcycles
All new and used motorcycles imported into Singapore for registration shall comply with the Euro IV emission standards (see link for more information). Compared to the Euro III emission standard, the tighter Euro IV emission standard will help reduce emissions of hydrocarbons (HC) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), which are precursors to ozone.

Emission Standards for in-use vehicles

All in-use vehicles shall comply with the in-use vehicle emission standards prescribed in the regulations (see link for more information).

Vehicular Fuel Quality

Every internal combustion engine motor vehicle must only use Euro V diesel or petrol that conforms with the standards prescribed in the regulations (see link for more information).

Vehicular Emissions Scheme (VES)

NEA introduced the Vehicular Emissions Scheme (VES) on 1 January 2018 to encourage the purchase of cleaner passenger cars, including taxis. Under the scheme, the cars are categorised into one of 5 VES bands, based on the worst-performing of the following pollutants: carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM). Buyers of new cars enjoy a rebate off the Additional Registration Fee (ARF), subject to a minimum ARF payable of $5,000 ¹, or pay a surcharge depending on the VES band of the car model.
Table 2: VES Schedule 1 Jan 2024 to 31 Dec 2024 Table 3: VES Schedule from 1 Jan 2024 to 31 Dec 2025
To further promote the adoption of cleaner cars and to discourage purchases of more pollutive models, the VES was enhanced with increased rebates and higher surcharges from 1 January 2021.

The enhanced VES was extended for three years from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2025, and tightened pollutant thresholds will be introduced from 1 January 2024 (see Table 1). There will be no change to the VES rebate quanta till 31 December 2023 and no change to the VES surcharge quanta till 31 December 2025 (Tables 2 and 3). The VES quanta which are applicable to the rebate bands from 1 January 2024, will be announced in the second half of 2023.

Table 1: Tightened pollutant thresholds from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2025

* Details will be released when ready.

More details on extension of enhanced VES at: https://www.nea.gov.sg/media/news/news/index/sustained-government-support-to-encourage-vehicle-electrification

¹ There is an exception for fully electric cars and taxis registered from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2024 where the minimum ARF payable is $0.

Commercial Vehicle Emissions Scheme (CVES) and Early Turnover Scheme (ETS)

The Commercial Vehicle Emissions Scheme (CVES) was introduced since Apr 2021 to encourage the adoption of cleaner light commercial vehicles, including Light Goods Vehicles (LGVs), Goods-cum-Passenger Vehicles (GPVs), and small buses, all with maximum laden weight (MLW) not exceeding 3,500kg. Under the CVES, an incentive or surcharge is applied at the point of purchase, based on the worst among 5 pollutants emitted by the vehicle, namely, carbon dioxide (CO ₂), hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM). To continue supporting the adoption of cleaner energy vehicles, the scheme will be extended for another 2 years till 31 March 2025, with adjustments to the incentive quanta and pollutant thresholds taking effect from 1 April 2023.

The Early Turnover Scheme (ETS) was first introduced in 2013 to incentivise owners of older diesel commercial vehicles and buses to replace them with a new, cleaner models. It initially covered the turnover of Pre-Euro and Euro 1 vehicles but was extended in 2015 to Euro 2 and 3 vehicles. It was extended to Euro 4 vehicles and further enhanced from 1 April 2021 until 31 March 2023. The ETS has been extended for another 2 years till 31 March 2025 with adjustments in the incentive quanta that taking effect from 1 April 2023.

Under the adjusted CVES, the Band A incentive of $15,000 and Band B incentive of $5,000 would be fully disbursed to the registered vehicle owner upon vehicle registration. The Band C surcharge of $15,000, which applies to more pollutive vehicles, will be imposed upon vehicle registration. The incentive/surcharge quanta and pollutant thresholds for CVES are in Table 4. The incentives for ETS are in shown Table 5.
Table 4: Pollutant Thresholds for CVES from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2025

Table 5: Incentives for Enhanced ETS from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2025 [1] Tailpipe emissions refer to air pollutants HC, CO, NOx and PM.
[2] The same incentive applies if replacement vehicle is an HCV without tailpipe emissions. Owners who replace an existing LCV with an HCV with tailpipe emissions will not qualify for the ETS incentive.
[3] The same incentive applies if replacement vehicle is a Band A LCV under the CVES.
[4] The same incentive applies if replacement vehicle is a Band B LCV under the CVES.
After 31 March 2025, the ETS for eligible vehicles with MLW up to 3,500kg will cease. Vehicle owners are encouraged to turn over their vehicles early before the ETS for these vehicles are discontinued. The Government will be studying other means, including regulatory levers, to encourage the early turnover of older commercial vehicles and buses in the future.

More details on the adjustments to CVES and ETS from 1 April 2023 can be found here: https://www.nea.gov.sg/media/news/news/index/extension-and-adjustments-to-cves-and-ets

Smoky vehicles

Under the Environmental Protection and Management (Vehicular Emissions) Regulations, it is an offence for any vehicle to emit smoke while on the road. Owners of smoky vehicles can be fined up to $2,000 for the first offence and $5,000 for subsequent offences, if convicted in court.

NEA takes stringent enforcement action against smoky vehicles on the roads. Owners of smoky vehicles will be required to send their vehicles for smoke emission inspection at the authorised vehicle inspection centres and the owners will be fined if the vehicle fails the inspection. In addition, the owners will be required to rectify and send their vehicles for a re-inspection which they must pass before the vehicle will be allowed on the road.

Owners should ensure that their vehicles are properly maintained in good condition for use on the road. Owners should also practice good driving habits (engage the correct gear) and avoid overloading their vehicles in order to prevent smoke emission. To prevent smoke emission from two-stroke motorcycles, riders should follow the manufacturer's recommended fuel-to-lubricant mix or alternatively use higher grade smoke-free lubricant.

Idling engines

Under the Environmental Protection and Management (Vehicular Emissions) Regulations, it is an offence for the driver of a motor vehicle to leave the engine of a vehicle idling while it is stationary, for reasons other than traffic conditions. The rationale is to minimise pollution. It will in turnreduce fuel wastage. Exceptions allowed include vehicles where the engine is needed to be running for operation of on-board equipment (e.g. refrigerated trucks), moving vehicles in a queue, vehicles undergoing inspection or repair and enforcement/emergency vehicles. Owners who leave their vehicle engines idling can be fined up to $2,000 for the first offence and $5,000 for subsequent offences, if convicted in court.

NEA regularly engages stakeholders to educate and remind their drivers to switch off the vehicle engines when stationary. In addition, NEA works closely with authorised vehicle inspection centres (VICOM, JIC Inspection Services and STA Inspection) to distribute educational pamphlets to remind motorists that it is an offence to leave the engine of the vehicle idling while stationary for reasons other than traffic conditions.

Report an incident

Members of the public who spot smoky vehicles or idling engines are encouraged to report them to NEA, providing details such as the vehicle registration number, location, date and time of the incident via the channels listed below.

* Feedback: Online feedback form* MyENV Mobile App: iPhone/ Android

Download the following brochures for more details:

Off-road diesel engines

Off road diesel engines (ORDEs) are industrial plant or are installed in an industrial plant. ORDEs to be imported for use in Singapore shall comply with the EU Stage II, US Tier II or Japan Tier I off-road diesel engine emission standards as prescribed in the regulations (see link for more information). Some examples of ORDEs are cranes, excavators, forklifts, power generators, etc. Diesel engines used in vessels, railway locomotives, and aircraft are not regulated by NEA.

In the case of used off-road diesel engines, an emission test report for each and every ORDE shall be submitted to confirm conformance to the prescribed emission standards before they will be approved for used in Singapore.

The online application form for approval to import ORDE for use in Singapore is available here.

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Motor vehicles are a major source of air pollution. To control the emissions generated by motor vehicles and safeguard public health, NEA sets exhaust emission and fuel quality standards for all vehicles which are prescribed in the regulations (details at links below).

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Clutter left along the corridor, flammable substances that were left irresponsibly, overloading of electrical outlets can easily cause fires. Huge areas of the residential units would be damaged or destroyed, many people/residents would need to evacuate their homes.

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/130-residents-evacuated-after-fire-breaks-out-in-a-hdb-flat-in-hougang-on-sunday-night

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130 residents evacuated after fire breaks out in HDB flat in Hougang on Sunday night

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Glass shattering sounds and a strong burning smell were detected by residents as soon as the fire started. Read more at straitstimes.com.

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1. speeding, red light running, drink driving
2. serious injuries, disabilities , death
3. a total of 100 traffic accidents in Singapore resulted in fatalities 8 were caused by drink driving
https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/drunk-taxi-driver-poor-driving-history-fell-asleep-wheel-fled-after-colliding-car-sle-1817321
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/mercedes-cabby-arrested-for-drink-driving-after-crashing-into-a-shophouse-at-zion-road

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SINGAPORE - When Lim Chee Yong was drink-driving along theSeletar Expressway (SLE) close to midnight, he dozed off at the wheel and suddenly swerved to the left.

The taxi driver collided with another car, which spun and skidded into the road centre divider. He then eventually fledthe scene despite being stopped by a third driver.

Lim, 45, returned to court on Tuesday (Feb 15) to be sentenced. However, District Judge Carol Ling adjourned the matter after he said that he wanted a deferment to celebrate his son's birthday next month and settle some personal affairs.

Lim pleaded guilty earlier this year to one count each of dangerous driving causing hurt to a 36-year-old victim and failing to render assistance after an accident.

A third charge of not stopping during an accident will be taken into consideration for sentencing on March 9. He was not charged with drink-driving.

The court heard that before the accident on April 6, 2020, Lim had been convicted of driving offences on five occasions since1998, including travellingin excess of the speed limit by more than 60km/h. In 2013, he was also convicted of driving while under disqualification.

This means that he is liable for an enhanced punishment for his most recent offences. District Judge Ling said that she was "minded to impose a custodial term".

On the evening of the accident, Lim was driving home and travelling along the SLE towards theCentral Expressway on the first lane with his headlights and taillights switched off.

When he fell asleep at the wheel, he swerved left into the second lane, where the victim's car was, and collided into the rear of the car. He was driving at a speed of above 94km/h at the time.

The victim's car spun, skidded and crashed into the centre divider, before skidding back across all three lanes of the expressway. It finally came to a stop at the left road shoulder, against the flow of traffic.

Lim did not stop and drove away.

A third driver who had witnessed the accident then chased him, managing to cut into his lane and forcing him to stop.

When the witness told Lim what had happened and asked if he was trying to run away, Lim appeared to be in a daze and claimed that he did not hit any car. He was also drunk and reeked strongly of alcohol.

The witness then asked Lim to switch off his engine and get out of his taxi, before showing him the taxi's damaged front bumper.

The pair also walked to the expressway shoulder where the witness pointed out the victim's car and asked Lim to help. However, Lim continued insisting that he had not hit any car.

They eventually walked back to their vehicles. When the witness was calling the police, Lim got back into his taxi and drove away again, escaping despite the witness's attempts to stop him.

The victim sought treatment at a clinic and was issued five days' medical leave. The accident had left his car with dents, cracks and scratches, which he repaired to the tune of about S$17,000.

Video footage of the accident was captured on the witness's in-car camera. Another witness also called the police after seeing Lim drive into a car park along Sumang Walk in Punggol, where he lived.

As a repeat offender, Lim could be jailed for up to four years or fined up to S$20,000, or given both penalties, for dangerous driving causing hurt. Those convicted can also be disqualified for holding or obtaining a driving licence.

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Drunk taxi driver with poor driving history fell asleep at wheel, fled after colliding with car on SLE

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SINGAPORE - When Lim Chee Yong was drink-driving along theSeletar Expressway (SLE) close to midnight, he dozed off at the wheel and suddenly swerved to the left. The taxi driver collided with another car, which spun and skidded into the road centre divider. He then eventually fledthe scene despite being stopped by a third driver.

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1)Many cars use diesel as they actually produce a lot of other noxious pollutants
2) they contribute to global warming and human health
3)In the first half of 2019, Singapore saw approximately 555 vegetation fires, a 56% increase in vegetation fires from 2018 due to drier and hotter weather. This resulted in a slight deterioration in air quality

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Singapore's air pollution level hits new record high amid haze

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Telok Blangah Blaze:
https://str.sg/35LY
1. The hoard of items placed along the corridor by Madam Sariffah caused the (fire) hazard to occur.

2. More than 100 people had to be evacuated and 4 people had to be brought to Singapore General Hospital.

3. Car erupted in flames on road in Yishun on Tuesday:
https://str.sg/iZLk

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Car erupted in flames on road in Yishun on Tuesday

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ST understands that the car was involved in an accident with another vehicle before the fire happened. Read more at straitstimes.com.

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Traffic Hazards:
1. Some causes include speeding, red-light running and drink-driving.
2. People may suffer serious injuries when they get involved in a traffic accident which might lead to disabilities or loss of life
3. Example: In 2021, there were 100 traffic accidents that happened in singapore which resulted in a few fatalities. 8 of these cases were caused by drink-driving. A large part of the number of people who are involved in traffic accidents are the elderly

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1) air pollution occurs when the presence of a contaminant or pollutant substances in the air do not disperse properly. things like burning vegetation and emissions from motor vehicles

2) the possible impacts of air pollution include health and safety hazards, and global warming.

3) case study: in the first half of 2019, Singapore saw approximately 555 vegetation fires, a 56% increase in vegetation fires from 2018 due to drier and hotter weather. This resulted in a slight deterioration of the air quality.

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common causes of traffic hazards are jaywalking, speeding, red-light running and drink-driving.

increased amount of casualties, injured people and deaths due to the accidents that could happen.

Senior Assistant Commissioner Gerald Lim, commander of TP, said on Tuesday: “Elderly pedestrians may assume they are able to cross the road very quickly.
The cars may not stop in time for the elderly to cross safely.

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1) vehicles causes carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide as well as hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides and particulate metal
2) global warming due to contribution of greenhouse gases and thus more trapping of heat in the earths atmosphere, rising of sea levels due to overall increased temperature of earths atmosphere
3) haze. an example would be the 2013 haze crisis where palm oil companies cleared massive tracts of land through burning. That said, it was only in the recent decade, specifically during the 2013 haze event, that Singapore saw major transformations in its risk communication landscape.

https://ipur.nus.edu.sg/impact-storie/understanding-air-pollution-risks-case-study-of-haze-in-singapore/

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https://youtu.be/W351ptIKKvIWe've been hearing for many years now that climate change is upon us and that action needs to be taken in order to prevent catastrophic disasters such as intense droughts,...

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Understanding air pollution risks: Case study of haze in Singapore - NUS - IPUR

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Ambient (outdoor) air pollution is one of the biggest environmental risk factors contributing to leading causes of death, including heart disease, stroke, lung cancer and other respiratory diseases[i]. With 9 out of 10 people breathing in polluted air globally, this silent killer contributed to an estimated 7 million premature deaths in 2016 according to the [...]

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causes of air pollution:
- industrial and motor emissions from cars and factories
- burning of vegetation and fossil fuels

possible impacts of air pollution:
- produces polluted air, which can cause poor health issues with residents who live near populated roads/traffic
- can cause respiratory infections, lung cancer and heart diseases

case study/examples:
- the VES was established to strike a balance between co2 emissions in check to reduce the contributions towards global warming by charging people according to the amount of emissions they give out

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/car-emissions-scheme-to-be-tightened-from-2024

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Car emissions scheme extended until end-2023, thresholds to be tightened from 2024

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Car buyers and sellers will be nudged further to adopt environmentally cleaner models such as electric vehicles. Read more at straitstimes.com.

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1. unattended cooking , faulty electrical appliances, cluttering and wiring which can ignite nearby flammable materials.
2. people may suffer from burn injuries and these severe injuries can lead to disabilities or deaths. it also can damage commercial and residential properties. Which may lead to economic losses as goods, furniture and important document may be destroyed

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About 50 people evacuated after fire breaks out in Choa Chu Kang HDB block

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SINGAPORE: Around 50 people were evacuated after a fire broke out at the ninth-floor corridor of a Housing and Development Board block in Choa Chu Kang on Thursday (Nov 10). The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) was alerted to a fire at Block 489A Choa Chu Kang Avenue 9 at about 5.30am.

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Appliances and equipment
-Any device that generates heat (stoves, clothes dryers, heaters) or heats up with extended use (computers, fans) is a potential fire hazard. Cooking vessels that are left unattended are a frequent cause of avoidable fires.
Candles
-Many candles are often forgotten and can burn out of control
Smoking
-Discarding still-hot ashes into a trash can where they can ignite.

Can kill people
-When a fire occurs, there is little time to escape. A fire can spread, sometimes doubling its size, in seconds. In less than 30 seconds, a fire can rage out of control and fill the area with heat and toxic, thick smoke. Most people who die in fires die from the toxic gases, thick smoke and lack of oxygen. In a fire, breathing even small amounts of these toxic elements can be disorienting, causing some people to pass out.
Causes serious property damage?
-Flame damage which is basically the damage the fire itself caused
-Smoke damage where the smell of smoke will stick to objects around your property

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SFBfAW-4-Y&t=5s

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Bedok North fire: SCDF says flat had 'vast accumulation' of combustible items

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https://tnp.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/more-100-evacuated-clutter-outside-flat-catches-fire

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She lives with her son and over the years, collected items like plants, boxes, shoes and plastic bags full of clothes and left them outside her flat along the corridor and lift landing on the ninth floor.

One neighbour tried to convince her to clear the clutter, but to no avail. Another neighbour had informed the town council about the items being a potential fire hazard, but the problem persisted.

On Monday night, their worst fears were realised when a fire broke out at Block 3 Telok Blangah Crescent.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said in a Facebook post they were alerted to the fire at around 8pm and it involved numerous items that had been placed along the corridor on the ninth floor.

SCDF and the police evacuated more than 100 residents from the ninth to 12th floors. Four people were taken to Singapore General Hospital.

The fire was put out with a water jet, and investigations are underway over the cause.

INSIST

Neighbours said the woman who collected the items was Madam Sariffah Alwiyah Syed Muhammad. She said the items were for charity and insisted she was not a hoarder.

But a spokesman for Tanjong Pagar Town Council (TPTC) told The New Paper the mother and son have "severe hoarding issues".

Madam Sariffah's son is believed to be a 43-year-old unemployed man.

Mr Supradye Supono and his wife moved into their ninth-floor flat six years ago. He said yesterday he had spoken to TPTC about the problem on three occasions last year.

His wife was one of the four taken to hospital after she suffered an asthma attack. She was discharged at 3am the following morning.

Mr Supradye, 37, a pest control worker, said: "The items were already there when we moved in. It worried me because I had seen news reports of fire caused by items left along the corridor. I did not want that to happen to us, but it did."

TPTC and other agencies had decluttered the area in April and had also tried on multiple occasions to get Madam Sariffah to keep the space clear, but she refused to comply.

Said the TPTC spokesman: "The town council has been working closely with the relevant agencies like Agency for Integrated Care, Habitat for Humanity Singapore and Thye Hua Kwan Moral Society over the past few months to attempt to reduce the clutter both in the unit as well as along the common corridor.

"However, the efforts have not been too successful as the resident has been hostile to the agencies and not willing to open her door to the volunteers."

Mr Chong Peng Teck and his wife moved into their unit on the ninth floor more than 20 years ago.

Mr Chong, 70, said they were watching television on Monday night when they sensed something burning.

"It was so scary. My wife and I were watching television when we realised there was a strong burning smell. That was when I opened my front door and saw the entire corridor filled with smoke. I could even feel the heat of the fire.

"My wife took some important documents and we just ran out of the house. Everything was in a frenzy. I didn't even have time put on my clothes.

"My neighbours were shouting at their families to evacuate and some were covering their mouths with wet cloths."

TPTC is clearing the area before doing a thorough washing. That will be followed by rewiring, trunking and painting works.

RELOCATE

In the meantime, its spokesman said the Housing Board (HDB) will help relocate affected residents to temporary premises, and the town council is working with the People's Association to provide assistance to the residents.

The TPTC spokesman added: "We have already cleared all the items outside the unit and will work with HDB regarding the clutter inside the unit. We will also work closely with the agencies to engage the resident and see how we can help her."

Mr Melvin Yong, MP for Radin Mas, said in a Facebook post yesterday that three of the residents who were taken to hospital have been discharged.

The remaining patient is in stable condition and under observation, he added.

He advised residents not to use the common corridor as a storage area and to keep the walkway clear in order to minimise fire hazards.

Mr Chong, a cleaner, had tried to persuade Madam Sariffah to remove the clutter a few times.

Shaking his head, he said: "It started with a few items placed along the corridor. Then, we noticed she would continuously add to the pile.

"I just wish she had listened. If the items were cleared, none of this would have happened."

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She lives with her son and over the years, collected items like plants, boxes, shoes and plastic bags full of clothes and left them outside her flat along the corridor and lift landing on the ninth floor. One neighbour tried to convince her to clear the clutter, but to no...

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