People Cheered as a Cat Was Rescued from Ledge of HDB Flat During a Fire

Apart from a period in May last year when the circuit breaker was in place and bubble tea stores were closed, it’s rare that two disasters occur at the same time.

When a fire occurs, firefighters have to evacuate all the residents in danger and put out the flames, usually without having to worry about anything else.

In this instance, however, a fire broke out in a flat and a cat was trapped on the ledge of an HDB flat.

Fire Broke Out in Bedok Flat

Trouble began when a fire erupted at Blk 106 Bedok Reservoir Road. It reportedly broke out in a unit on the 10th floor of the block.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) managed to put out the blaze using one water jet. Before they arrived, around 40 residents had already self-evacuated from their flats.

One resident suffered minor injuries, but declined to be conveyed to a hospital.

The fire involved the contents of the unit, but investigations are still ongoing as to the cause of the blaze.

Resident Notices Cat on Ledge

One of the residents, who appeared to be in a block opposite the burning unit at the time, noticed that a little cat was perched on the ledge of the 10th storey as smoked billowed out of the burning unit.

Image: Facebook (Hana Amin Yunn)
Image: Facebook (Hana Amin Yunn)
Image: Facebook (Hana Amin Yunn)

Concerned, the resident called SPCA, noting that the firefighters weren’t able to rescue the cat.

Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh was notified about the incident, and shared a post about the fire as well as the cat.

Mr Singh noted that an alert neighbour at the affected block had raised the alarm before the fire grew, which averted a block evacuation and further damage.

But there was another matter to attend to – “There is an outstanding matter – we need to secure a poor cat – help is on the way,” Mr Singh said.

Fortunately, the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) arrived on the scene to render assistance and used their expertise to rescue the feline.

Image: Facebook (Hana Amin Yunn)

A video of a man using a net to scoop the cat up and into the window of a unit was later shared by the same resident. It took some time, but the man eventually managed to bring the cat to safety, to the applause and cheers of onlookers.

AVS later confirmed that one of its staff members rescued the cat. It has since been brought back to its owner.

Ah, a story with a happy ending. How I’ve missed you.

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Featured Image: Facebook (Hana Amin Yunn & Pritam Singh)