An early morning fire gutted a shophouse at Tampines Lane yesterday, injuring three people and leaving at least 10 people homeless.
The three people injured were Mr Muthu Maran,a veteran fireman, Mr Quek Seow Meng a vegetable seller, Mr Chee Seng Toh, a polytechnic student. Mr Muthu was rushed to Changi hospital as he had burns on his shoulder and he also supstained minor bruises to his legs. Mr Quek was slightly burnt on both hands and he was treated as an outpatient and was then sent home. Mr chee suffered a broken ankle likewise he was also treated as an outpatient and was sent home.
The fire started at about 5.30 am. Mr Ivan Wong was a resident of one of the shophouses while he was sleeping, he heard shouts of fire. He said, "I was awakened by shouts of help. I saw the plank going up in flames. I quickly took my blanket and started to put out the flames. There was heat and thick smoke everywhere but I managed to run out of the building to call for help." Mr Ivan Wong escaped unscathed in the fire.
Three families living on the top floor rushed out of the burning building after awakened from their sleep. Mr Quek's hands were burnt so he battled with the flames with his blanket on his way down the wooden stairs, unfortunetely the stairs had caught fire. Mr Chee ran down the stairs s he fell and broke his ankle. "We had no time to salvage our belongings. By the time the fire engine arrived, the whole building was engulfed in flames," Mr Wong said.
The firemen were directing their hoses at the burning building as Mr Muthu entered it and went up the top floor. The floor under him suddenly collapsed as it was charred. He plunged 10 metres to the ground. One of his colleages immediately pulled him to safety. The firemen brought the fire under control an hour later. the cause of the fire is not known. The police are investigating.