A tragic incident occurred on 16 May 2024 in the early hours of the morning when a Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) officer lost his life while battling a fire on board a marine vessel anchored in the southwest of Singapore.
The SCDF was alerted to the fire around 12:15am, with smoke seen emanating from the engine room of the vessel. Firefighters from West Coast Marine Fire Station promptly responded to the situation.
A Rota Commander, alongside another firefighter, entered the smoke-filled engine room to tackle the blaze. The firefighter directed a water jet towards the fire, while the Rota Commander used a thermal imager to identify other hot spots.
WHAT HAPPENED :
“During the operation, a Regular Officer who was a Rota Commander, paired up with another firefighter and they were conducting firefighting together inside the smoke-logged engine room. The firefighter was directing a water jet towards the source of the fire while the Rota Commander was moving around the engine room with a thermal imager to detect other hot spots within the room”.
“While the firefighting operation was ongoing, another team of firefighters entering the engine room to support the operation saw the Rota Commander lying at the bottom of a staircase (about four metres down) leading from the part of the engine room where the firefighting operation was being conducted, to a lower platform of the engine room. He was conscious, but as he appeared unwell, evacuation was immediately initiated”, SCDF said in a press statement on Thursday (May 16).
“The Rota Commander subsequently lost consciousness and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was performed on him. He was evacuated to Pasir Panjang Ferry Terminal and conveyed by an SCDF ambulance to National University Hospital” SCDF added.
The SCDF expressed deep sorrow over the loss of their officer and has extended their fullest support to the grieving family.
“SCDF is deeply saddened by the death of our officer. We are providing the family with our fullest support” SCDF said in its statement on Facebook.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing, with further details to be shared as they become available.
This unfortunate event serves as a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by SCDF officers in the line of duty to keep the community safe. The bravery and dedication of these heroes will always be remembered.
He is the second SCDF officer to pass away following their battle with a fire.
Image via Google Street View
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