Community Mourns After Tragic River Valley Fire Claims Life of Young Girl

“A quiet sadness lingers outside a River Valley Road shophouse, where a fatal fire on Tuesday (April 8) claimed the life of a 10-year-old girl and left 21 others injured. By midday on Wednesday, floral tributes had been placed at the site, including a bouquet of white and yellow chrysanthemums accompanied by a handwritten message in Chinese mourning the young victim and wishing the injured a swift recovery.

Scattered near the cordoned entrance were soot-covered chef hats and small plastic toy parts—silent reminders of the chaos that had unfolded the previous day. While the front of the building appeared intact, with open windows and dividers shielding the damaged interior, its scars lay deeper than what could be seen from the street.

Onlookers stopped briefly, some taking photographs before continuing on, their expressions sombre.

Among those who acted swiftly during the fire were migrant workers working nearby. One of them, 32-year-old plumber Islam Shafiqul, noticed people trapped on the third floor as smoke poured from the windows. Without hesitation, he and others brought over a mobile scaffold, placing it atop a ladder to reach those in danger. They carried children down one by one until emergency responders arrived.

Shafiqul later shared, “The only thing on our minds was getting those people to safety.” His quick thinking was acknowledged by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), which is presenting him and others with the SCDF Community Lifesaver Award.

Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing. Officers were seen surveying nearby buildings and taking photographs as part of the inquiry. While staff at neighbouring shops were not present during the blaze, they’ve since been instructed to avoid the affected premises.

Engineers from the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) conducted structural assessments and concluded that the building remained stable. Nevertheless, as a safety measure, the building has been ordered closed until further inspection and repairs are carried out under the guidance of a professional engineer.

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed that the child who died was an Australian citizen. A spokesperson offered condolences, stating that consular assistance was being provided to the grieving family.

The education centre located within the shophouse, Tomato School, released a public statement expressing profound sorrow and shock over the incident.

The child’s death marks the fourth fire-related fatality in Singapore this year. Earlier in January, a fire in Hougang tragically claimed the lives of a family of three. Data from SCDF shows five fire fatalities were recorded in 2024, compared to three the previous year.

As the community comes to terms with this devastating loss, the outpouring of grief and the bravery shown by ordinary individuals offer a glimmer of humanity amidst the tragedy.”