Yes, our HDB flats are small. And it looks like it’ll get even smaller as time goes by. But that doesn’t mean that you have to start using the corridor area to store your stuff.
Because something like this might just happen.
Yishun Flat Corridor Caught Fire on Saturday Night
On 28 July, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) was alerted to an incident at around 11.15 pm.
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A fire had broken out at the 12th-floor corridor of Block 388 at Yishun Ring Road
The fire reportedly involved two bicycles and items left outside a flat. SCDF is still investigating the cause of the fire.
SCDF App Allegedly Failed To Notify Nearby Users
Bet you didn’t know there’s an SCDF app, did you?
And this is a frigging cool app, by the way, that can potentially save your life.
So here’s how it works. Crowdsourcing.
If you have the unfortunate experience of having to call for the ambulance, the most agonising part isn’t worrying about paying for the ambulance fee if your case isn’t considered an emergency.
The most agonising part is the wait.
That’s where this app, myResponder comes in.
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So here’s how it works, when the SCDF operations centre receives a call, they’ll send a notification through the app.
Should you be within the 400 metres radius of the incident, you’ll receive a notification telling you about it together with the exact location.
And if you have the training to help, you can run over and offer your assistance until the ambulance or any other services reaches the scene.
The app initially alerted people to cases of cardiac arrests but has extended to include fire alert notifications in April this year.
Unfortunately, a user of the app claimed that the app was silent on Saturday night.
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Small Contained Fire That Didn’t Affect Other People’s Homes
Luckily, the fire was small and only took a hose to put out.
A witness to the aftermath of the incident, Jeremy, said that he went to investigate after seeing an SCDF motorbike, and three fire engines zoom past his block.
He said that the fire was small and contained, and didn’t affect any other homes on the same level.
And he wasn’t surprised that a fire has broken out.
“It is not surprising. You tell the residents not to hoard and keep items outside because it is a fire safety hazard but they usually don’t listen.
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Moral of the Story: Don’t Leave A Dump Outside Your Home
One, it makes your house look damn lokkok (read: destitute) and maybe throw all your fengshui into the ditch, leaving you unable to win at Toto or 4D.
Two, your neighbours are going to be mad at you, and let me tell you, you don’t want to mess with your neighbours. They can make your life hell.
Three, it could get stolen.
And four, because smokers. People could’ve been smoking while walking along the corridor. Then, they throw an unextinguished cigarette butt into the items and walk away.
Thinking that nothing will happen one lah. Cigarette butt fire so small.
And a fire breaks out.
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If you want to know what’s allowed (and safe) to put outside your HDB flat, here’s a guide by our friendly neighbourhood firefighters.
And if you have neighbours who just refused to listen to reason, it’s time to go Town Council and find your MP for help. #JustSaying.
Stay safe, guys!
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