A 60-year-old woman died in a fire that broke out in her Choa Chu Kang flat on the morning of 24 September. Neighbours reported that the woman, who lived with her son with special needs, was known to hoard items in her home. The son was not present during the incident as he had gone out to buy breakfast. The fire led to the evacuation of approximately 150 residents from the block.
Background
The woman resided in a unit at Block 692A Choa Chu Kang Crescent. Her neighbours informed Lianhe Zaobao that she had a habit of hoarding, which created clutter both inside and outside her flat, obstructing the corridor. Despite efforts by the town council and her relatives to clear the clutter on at least two occasions, the situation would eventually revert to its previous state.
Clutter at home
Neighbours described the extent of the hoarding, noting that it significantly impacted their access along the corridor. One neighbour mentioned that the town council and the woman’s relatives had intervened multiple times to clear the clutter, but these efforts were only temporarily effective.
One died, 150 evacuated
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) responded to the fire at 5:25 am on 24 September. Upon arrival, they found one person dead at the scene. The fire necessitated the evacuation of about 150 residents from the block. The SCDF shared these details in a Facebook post, highlighting the severity of the incident.
Community response
The local community has expressed concern over the incident, with many neighbours reflecting on the challenges posed by the hoarding. “It was only a matter of time before things would get cluttered again,” one neighbour remarked, emphasising the recurring nature of the problem. The town council is expected to review its procedures for handling similar situations in the future.
Future implications
This tragic event has raised awareness about the dangers of hoarding and its potential impact on fire safety. Authorities may consider implementing stricter measures to address hoarding issues in residential areas to prevent similar incidents. The community is also likely to see increased efforts in fire safety education and support for individuals with hoarding tendencies.
