News

HDB Fire at Telok Blangah Might Have Led to a FDW’s Death Who Lives Above the Burning Unit

2022-01-31 , 11:05 am

Two left unconscious. Homes ravaged. Over 500 people evacuated. The fires that set three different estates ablaze last Friday night would truly be difficult to forget.

Now, even more so for a family in Indonesia. What was simply another night turned out to be a tragic one for them.

Fire Claims its First Victim

On Saturday evening (29 January), the Telok Blangah fire claimed its first victim. The victim was Koimatun Achmad Ali, who also went by Emma, a 48-year-old foreign domestic worker.

She resided on the 11^th floor of Block 39 Telok Blangah Rise, directly above the 10^th floor unit that caught fire last Friday.

According to the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF)’s Facebook update, Emma was found unconscious on the floor of the 11^th storey unit after firefighters forced their way into the unit. She was immediately brought to the lift lobby where cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was carried out on her.

Subsequently, Emma was sent to Singapore General Hospital. Unfortunately, she succumbed to her injuries and passed shortly after 9pm on Saturday.

Family Left Behind in Indonesia

Emma leaves behind a 17-year-old daughter and elderly parents in Semarang, Indonesia. She had not been able to see them since the beginning of COVID-19.

Since 2018, Emma had been employed by Mimy Chen and entrusted with the care of Chen’s son who is attending primary school.

Due to her work commitments and the following pandemic, Emma was unable to return to Indonesia.

Chen spoke highly of Emma, saying she was “hardworking, trustworthy and reliable”. Emma was also well-loved by the family and had many local friends.

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Fundraiser Started

As Chen was overseas during the incident of the fire, a former neighbour, Kevin Ho had been entrusted to oversee matters.

After knowing Emma was the sole breadwinner of her family back in Indonesia, Ho set up a fundraiser to lessen the burden of the funeral expenses and the repatriation service on her family.

A total of $30,000 is aimed to be raised. Currently, the fundraiser has achieved more than two-thirds of its goal at over $20,000.

Yesterday, Ho posted an update on the fundraiser page, stating that an undertaker has been arranged. He is also in contact with the Indonesia Embassy to assist on documentation for repatriation of Emma to Indonesia.

Her body would be claimed today and will be on an SQ/Garuda flight first thing in the morning to be returned to her daughter on Tuesday afternoon.

Many encouraging comments were left on the fundraiser page for the family. Ho says they will translate them for the daughter and print out all comments and donors’ names.

73-Year-Old Man Suspected

When asked about Emma’s cause of death, Ho declined to reveal any information, citing an ongoing court case.

Previously, the Singapore Police Force had arrested a 73-year-old man, the owner of the 10^th floor unit where the fire had started. He was suspected of mischief of fire.

Indeed, this was a tragic loss of a mother and we hope the family will receive all the help needed. For those who wish to support them, visit here.