Two men died after a fire broke out at a fifth-floor unit at Synergy@KB, an industrial building in Kaki Bukit, around 12:55 pm on Sep. 19. The victims, identified as 51-year-old Malaysian Luo Jiaqiang and 65-year-old Vincent, were found unconscious in a unit opposite the one that was on fire. Despite efforts by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and transport them to Changi General Hospital, both men succumbed to their injuries. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
## Background
The fire occurred in a unit belonging to a company that produces road signs and office supplies. The victims were visiting a furniture company located in the opposite unit, owned by a man surnamed He. The two men had arrived at the furniture company around 12:30 pm to discuss business over lunch. However, due to a delay, they decided to rest in the showroom and lounge on the mezzanine level.
## Stuck on a mezzanine level due to heavy smoke
When the fire broke out, staff working below the mezzanine level shouted at the two men to evacuate. However, the men did not follow the staff out of the building, which had already filled with smoke. Attempts to rescue them were thwarted by the thick smoke. Vincent managed to answer a call from the staff, stating that the smoke was “overwhelming” and that he “couldn’t breathe.” Luo also made choking sounds over the phone before the call abruptly ended. Firefighters were alerted, but the men could not be reached in time.
## Friend feels guilty for friends’ passing
He expressed deep guilt over the incident, wondering if the outcome would have been different had he met his friends on time for lunch. He mentioned that they were working on three furniture projects together and that Vincent was Luo’s business partner.
## Younger brother did not manage to see one deceased for the last time
Luo’s younger brother, who travelled from Johor Bahru to Singapore upon hearing the news, did not manage to see Luo for one last time. He shared that Luo had been working in Singapore for about 20 years and had recently reconciled with his family after a long period of estrangement. Luo had been visiting his family in Malaysia every week for the past six months.
## One deceased recently amended relationship with family
Luo’s brother revealed that Luo had cut off contact with his family due to a conflict but had mended the relationship about six months ago. Luo’s mother has been informed of his passing, but his brother has yet to break the news to their father, fearing for his health. Luo’s body will be brought back to Malaysia for a funeral on Sep. 22.
## Friend’s company also suffer damages
He discovered that the window on the mezzanine level was open, suggesting that his friends had tried to escape the smoke. Besides the tragic loss of his friends, He’s furniture store suffered damages estimated at around S$30,000 due to the heavy smoke, forcing the company to halt operations temporarily.
## Police investigations ongoing
The Singapore Police Force confirmed they were alerted to the fire around 1 pm on Sep. 19. Preliminary investigations indicate no foul play, but police investigations are ongoing.
