Teenage Butane Fiasco Rocks Toa Payoh Block
Picture this: it is late‑night, around 9 pm on Tuesday, December 17th. Two 14‑year‑old boys decide to DIY a lighter refill using two cans of butane. Spoiler alert—nothing went as planned.
When DIY Goes Wrong
- Location: 255 Kim Keat Ave, Toa Payoh (eighth‑floor apartment)
- What the kids were up to: Tried opening the butane cans to pour the gas into their lighters.
- Result: The liquid ignited instantly, setting their clothes ablaze.
Quick reaction? The boys were so panicked they ripped off their shirts and sprinted down the landing from the eighth to the sixth floor, screaming for help.
Enter the Hero: The Domestic Helper
While the boys were blazing, a 34‑year‑old domestic helper was tending to her employer’s medication when she heard hurried footsteps.
- Did the right thing: Ducked into her door, stared at the chaos, and realized it was a do‑you‑really‑know‑what‑you’re‑doing situation.
- What did she do: Grabbed a basin of water from a neighbor’s house and poured it on the burning teens.
- Outcome: Despite begging her and another neighbor not to alert the authorities, the boys were still in pain.
Hospital to the Rescue
Within ten minutes, the scene was next to a police car, SCDF vehicles, and an ambulance: the duo found their way to the KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, thanks to swift emergency responders.
What’s Next?
Police are investigating the incident as an alleged case of negligence. The SCDF has confirmed that the boys received immediate treatment at the hospital.
For More Wild Fires
(Want to read about another fiery mishap? Keep an eye out for “Flames of love burn too brightly after Chinese couple accidentally start woodland fire during romantic evening on mountain.”)
