Fire in Blk 470, Choa Chu Kang: A Harrowing Brush With Danger
Picture this: a sunny Wednesday afternoon in the storeroom of a rented HDB flat, a five‑year‑old curious kid with special needs, a lighter, and misused plasma—or, you could say, old newspapers and diapers—leading to a blaze that nearly turned a cozy home into a smoky mess.
Who’s in the Mix?
- Family Members: A 50‑year‑old engineer named Aung (a Singapore permanent resident), his 43‑year‑old wife who’s the full‑time housewife, and their three children—a five‑year‑old boy, a nine‑year‑old girl, and a 12‑year‑old girl in Primary 4.
- Nationality: Myanmar.
- Location: Block 470, Choa Chu Kang Ave 3.
What Went Down?
The fire sparked around 2:45 pm on October 20th. The little one somehow grabbed a lighter, the flames caught the old newspapers and diapers in the storeroom, and—poof—everything turned to smoke. Aung wasn’t home at the time. His wife was busy with chores when the light was let loose.
Quick Exit & Emergency Response
The nine‑year‑old noticed the explosion and sprinted to tell her mother, but the flames had already raced through the room. The mother jumped into action: she called their neighbour, Bella (53), who promptly dialed the Fire Department.
When the SCDF arrived, they knocked on the door and demanded an evacuation. Suddenly an “explosive” burst yelled through the unit. Bella recalls, “We were all in shock, but we fled through the corridor as fast as we could.”
SCDF Actions & Residual Injuries
- About 60 residents were evacuated from the building.
- One resident received on‑site treatment for a minor injury.
- No hospitalisation followed.
- The blaze was contained quickly, and people could return to their homes an hour later.
The Bottom Line
What’s clear is that a kid, a light and a couple of flammable tapestries led to a near‑disaster. Thankfully, no serious injuries, and the fire’s origin will be thoroughly investigated. The story serves as a stark reminder: small spark + vulnerable environment = big risk, and quick thinking saves lives.
Language disability
Family Faces Ongoing Challenges
When the wife of Aung shared the news with Wanbao, she revealed that their five‑year‑old son is grappling with a language learning disability. “I try to explain to him what he can do and what he can’t, but he just doesn’t get it,” she said, “so I’ve to teach him little by little.”
Hoping for a Special School
It was always the plan to enroll the boy in a special school when they could finally make it back to Myanmar. The pandemic, however, turned that hope into a distant dream. Now, with no way to travel, the child spends his days learning at home.
Financial Strain—One Income, Many Needs
“Aung only brings in a single paycheck, which is just enough to keep the family afloat,” the wife explained. “Special schools in Singapore are pricey, and with our limited budget, we can’t afford the tuition.” She added that the son’s mother is working extra hard to make sense of English lessons and speech exercises in the most patient way possible.
Unexpected Fire Damage
On top of these hurdles, Aung now faces the looming need to cover compensation for damages caused by a recent fire. Typically, his monthly salary is just enough to manage everyday expenses, but the added costs have stretched the family’s finances even thinner.
Key Takeaway
- The son has a language disability and needs specialized education.
- Because of the pandemic, they cannot return to Myanmar or enroll the boy in a special school.
- Aung’s single income is barely enough to support the family.
- After a fire incident, he’s also worried about paying for damage compensation.
Despite the challenges, the family remains resilient. They keep their fingers crossed for an improved future—hopefully one that won’t require flipping a coin to decide whether or not they can afford any kind of schooling for their little one.
