"Two dead after fire in Geylang - CNA 03 April 2015
SINGAPORE: Two Bangladeshis, in their early twenties, died in a fire in a private residential unit in Lorong 6, Geylang early Friday morning (Apr 3). Three others were sent to hospital.
The fire comes just four months after four foreign workers died in another apartment fire in nearby Lorong 4, Geylang.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force said it arrived at 86A, Lorong 6 Geylang slightly after 4am. The affected unit was on the second floor of the four-storey building.
An eyewitness said that about 15 people ran out of the unit at about 3am. It is believed one of them then quickly drove a truck and parked it directly below the unit, to allow those trapped inside to jump down.
The Manpower Ministry and Migrant Workers' Centre (MWC) said they would offer help to the families of those who died.
MWC stressed it takes a very serious view of safe and secure housing for migrant workers. It urged the authorities to investigate the matter, and where appropriate, take those responsible to task."
A sad tragedy with 2 deaths and 3 others sent to hospital condition unknown!
Lessons for me are:
1. it HAD happened before. In fact, NOT TOO LONG ago in similar locality. Could it had been prevented?;
2. is it a case of 'overcrowding' of the foreign workers in crammed quarter? A violation of their basic human rights to have decent living quarter while 'selling their labour' to this rich Little Red Dot away from their families who now have lost a son, a brother or even a father?;
3. how many MORE such tragedies have to happen BEFORE the people RESPONSIBLE to put these workers' lives at risk on their own try to do the right thing? What about the ENFORCEMENT authorities? Are they stretched and could they have upped the frequencies of check on these 'dangerous accommodation death traps'? Could the workers themselves be educated and made aware that THIS IS NOT WORTH their lives and that they MUST report their 'abusive employers' who put them in such a dangerous living quarter?
Or, it is just about changing the habit of the workers IF the cause of the fire is due to cooking in the quarter without any safety concept and practice been observed?
Rest in peace to the deceased and condolences to the families and friends.
SINGAPORE: Two Bangladeshis, in their early twenties, died in a fire in a private residential unit in Lorong 6, Geylang early Friday morning (Apr 3). Three others were sent to hospital.
The fire comes just four months after four foreign workers died in another apartment fire in nearby Lorong 4, Geylang.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force said it arrived at 86A, Lorong 6 Geylang slightly after 4am. The affected unit was on the second floor of the four-storey building.
An eyewitness said that about 15 people ran out of the unit at about 3am. It is believed one of them then quickly drove a truck and parked it directly below the unit, to allow those trapped inside to jump down.
The Manpower Ministry and Migrant Workers' Centre (MWC) said they would offer help to the families of those who died.
MWC stressed it takes a very serious view of safe and secure housing for migrant workers. It urged the authorities to investigate the matter, and where appropriate, take those responsible to task."
A sad tragedy with 2 deaths and 3 others sent to hospital condition unknown!
Lessons for me are:
1. it HAD happened before. In fact, NOT TOO LONG ago in similar locality. Could it had been prevented?;
2. is it a case of 'overcrowding' of the foreign workers in crammed quarter? A violation of their basic human rights to have decent living quarter while 'selling their labour' to this rich Little Red Dot away from their families who now have lost a son, a brother or even a father?;
3. how many MORE such tragedies have to happen BEFORE the people RESPONSIBLE to put these workers' lives at risk on their own try to do the right thing? What about the ENFORCEMENT authorities? Are they stretched and could they have upped the frequencies of check on these 'dangerous accommodation death traps'? Could the workers themselves be educated and made aware that THIS IS NOT WORTH their lives and that they MUST report their 'abusive employers' who put them in such a dangerous living quarter?
Or, it is just about changing the habit of the workers IF the cause of the fire is due to cooking in the quarter without any safety concept and practice been observed?
Rest in peace to the deceased and condolences to the families and friends.
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