SINGAPORE - A Family's Heartbreak

On the evening of September 19, a family's dinner turned into a night of anxiety and heartbreak. Mr. Lim Choon Siew, a well-respected 65-year-old carpenter, did not return home, prompting concern from his family. Though it wasn't out of character for him to enjoy a night out with friends, by midnight, their worry escalated when the police arrived with devastating news: Mr. Lim was one of two victims of a catastrophic fire at Amen International, a signage shop located in Kaki Bukit.

A Son's Grief

At the wake for his father on September 22, Mr. Lin Qiyang, 28, expressed his anguish, revealing that his mother has been deeply affected and restless since the tragic incident. "My older brother and I have to be strong for her. But I have many questions about the incident," he said, grappling with the uncertainty surrounding the fire. As a technology and sales professional, Mr. Lin seeks clarity on crucial safety details: Did a fire alarm or sprinkler system activate? Were the victims aware of the impending danger?

Witness Accounts

Eyewitness reports highlight that the blaze erupted around 1 PM on the fifth floor of the Synergy@KB building. Mr. Lim and a 51-year-old Malaysian apprentice were discovered unconscious inside Wooden Story, a furniture shop located opposite the inferno. Emergency responders performed CPR on the men, who were subsequently rushed to Changi General Hospital but tragically succumbed to their injuries.

Chaos and Confusion

A witness to the incident shared how one of Wooden Story’s employees was communicating with Mr. Lim and the apprentice when the line suddenly went dead. This employee recounted hearing Mr. Lim struggle to breathe, overwhelmed by smoke, while another colleague coughed violently in the chaos.

An Ongoing Investigation

The fire's current cause remains under investigation, and it has left the family, especially Mr. Lim’s eldest son, Mr. Lin Qiming, 41, with lingering questions. Mr. Lin Qiming, a chef, learned of the fire that day but was unaware that his father's life had already been lost in the blaze. "There was no way to know my father was involved in the fire because there were no photos or names in the earlier news reports," he lamented.

A Legacy of Love

As the investigation unfolds, the family is left to grieve for a loved one whose craftsmanship touched countless lives. Mr. Lim was not only a skilled carpenter but a devoted father who built much of their home with his own hands, leaving behind a legacy of love and resilience.