Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan Attended CPL Edward H. Go’s Wake; Said ‘Everyone is Shocked’


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Crowds of Cpl Edward H. Go’s family and friends paid their respects at his wake on Sunday.

Investigations into the Henderson blaze and the parties involved have also begun.

Wake Attended by Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan

Aside from Cpl Go’s family and friends, foreign minister Vivian Balakrishnan, together with his wife, attended the wake as well.

Apparently, Dr Balakrishnan knew the parents of the deceased.

“I think everyone is shocked… incredibly saddened,” the minister said.

Dr Balakrishnan also expressed that such an occurrence is an absolute nightmare for any parent and that it could have been anyone’s son paying such a sacrifice while serving the nation.

At the wake, a slideshow with images of the firefighter was played as visitors streamed in to offer their condolences.

The NSF firefighter lost his life during an operation last Thursday, fighting a fire in a rental flat at Block 91 Henderson Road.

The Henderson blaze, as many Singaporeans have now come to term the tragedy, was likely of electrical origins in the flat’s bedroom.

The SCDF was alerted to the fire on Thursday morning, and Cpl Go was part of the first response team. After forcing their way into the smoke-logged flat, Cpl Go fell unconscious in the kitchen area while putting out the fire.

The rest of the firefighters took him out of the flat and attempted to resuscitate him but to no avail.

Cpl Go was then taken to the Singapore General Hospital, where he subsequently passed away.

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In the history of the SCDF, he was the first person to have unfortunately lost his life during an operation.

Cpl Go enlisted in the SCDF just this January and was posted to Central Fire Station on 4 May after undergoing 12 weeks of training for firefighting operations.

He was part of the response team to more than 20 fire and rescue incidents after his posting to the Central Fire Station.


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Cpl Go had intended to apply to medical school after being discharged from his service.

Investigations Into The Incident Currently Ongoing

Minister of State for Home Affairs, Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, also attended the wake on Sunday and expressed his condolences to the deceased’s family on behalf of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

Associate Professor Faishal shared that among other things, the parties involved in the incident will be looked into.

As investigations are currently ongoing, the family and the public will only be informed of findings once the investigation is complete.

“We in MHA and SCDF feel we have lost one of our finest firefighters. This is something that we will remember about Cpl Edward – his bravery, courage and service to our nation,” the associate professor added.


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The associate professor also shared a Facebook post on Sunday, offering his condolences once again.

In the post, Mr Faishal also expressed his gratitude to all national servicemen for putting their lives on the line to ensure the nation’s safety and security.

President Halimah Yacob Offers Her Condolences

On Saturday (10 Dec), President Halimah Yacob offered her condolences to Cpl Go’s family and loved ones in a Facebook post as well.

“Deeply saddened to hear of the tragic death of young SCDF firefighter, Edward, who lost his life in the course of duty. He carried out his role with courage and bravery,” she said.


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The comments on the post were also flooded with netizens’ offers of condolences to Cpl Go’s family and friends.

Cpl Go’s wake, which will take place until Monday, is held at the Trinity Casket Chapel of Light at 38 Sin Ming Drive.

A night service is expected to take place at 8 pm on Monday night, before the funeral service on Tuesday at noon. The cortege will depart for Mandai Crematorium afterwards.

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Featured Image: Obits.sg + Gin Tay / The Straits Times