When a Birthday Becomes a Fireworks Disaster
The Moment Everything Changed
On Thursday afternoon, March 22nd, a calm sunny day at the One Degree 15 Marina Club in Sentosa Cove turned into a nightmare for yacht owner Tu Zhen Yi. He was celebrating his 36th birthday with his family aboard his vessel when the unexpected happened.
What went down?
- The yacht, still docking and supposedly refueling, sparked an instant fire at about 4:30 pm.
- Mr. Tu’s wife and daughter were at the helm when the flames erupted.
- Both domestic helpers scrambled for safety, inadvertently leaving a tiny 8‑month‑old son behind.
- The baby was found soot‑covered and face‑down on the deck; a tragic reminder of how quickly chaos can spread.
- Mom seized her child, and together she and the husband ran with their daughter, just in time for the rescue teams to arrive.
- In total, 15 people were hospitalized: the couple, their kids, and the two helpers.
Why did the fire start?
Mr. Tu said the yacht was attempting to draw fuel at the dock. Technicians, worried about a potential leak, instructed him to inspect the engine. He followed their guidance, but the moment he started the engine, a sudden explosion ignited the blaze.
What the wife recalls
Mrs. Tu described the incident as “a split‑second event.” She was halfway around when the helpers vanished, and her husband was already grabbing their daughter. She saw a black “mass” on the deck—there it was, her baby, obscured by soot, sitting face-down next to the blazing engine. “We had to run immediately,” she said, “and the moment I grabbed my son, we hurried out with our daughter.”
How the firefighting crew intervened
Firefighters from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) rushed aboard, assisted by the yacht’s in‑house emergency response team. They controlled the inferno before it spread further. The exact cause remains under investigation, but officers are already reviewing the event.
Key takeaways
- Never underestimate a birthday celebration on the water.
- Even a seemingly small mishap—like a faulty fuel refuel—can turn into a life‑threatening fire.
- Quick, courageous reactions saved lives, but the incident is a sober reminder of the importance of safety checks.
- For families enjoying the serenity of the marina, vigilance is always the best ally.
As the SCDF continues its investigation, we can hope that this tragic episode will shed light on the critical need for proper safety protocols aboard marine vessels.
