A devastating fire tore through a shophouse on River Valley Road in Singapore on April 8, claiming the life of a 10-year-old Australian girl and leaving 21 others injured, including 16 children. The blaze, which broke out at around 9:45 a.m., engulfed the premises of Tomato Cooking School, a facility offering cooking lessons and camps for young children. Amid the chaos, acts of bravery by migrant construction workers and passersby emerged as a poignant counterpoint to the tragedy, with several risking their lives to rescue those trapped on the building’s third-floor ledge.

Heroic Rescues Amidst Flames

Shakil Mohammad, a 35-year-old construction worker from Bangladesh, was among the first to respond. Working at a nearby site on River Valley Road, he heard screams and saw children perilously perched on a ledge as flames and smoke billowed from the shophouse. Without hesitation, he and fellow workers grabbed a ladder from their site to reach the trapped children. “The children wanted to jump. I told them, ‘Don’t jump! I will help you’” Mr. Shakil recounted to local media on April 9. He estimates they saved around 10 children, passing them down the ladder one by one.

One memory haunts him. “There was one girl, when she was passed to me, her eyes were closed. I held her in her arms, she was not moving” he said, his voice breaking with emotion. Despite the intense heat and danger, his resolve held firm: “The fire was so hot. But I die, no problem, I just needed to save the children.” Tragically, three more children remained inside, unreachable due to the ferocity of the blaze. “I wanted to go inside to save them, but I couldn’t. I cannot explain how painful my heart is” he added.

Mr. Zainal Zin, a 56-year-old furniture store employee who witnessed the aftermath, described harrowing scenes of injured children. “I’ll never forget the look on their faces” he said, recalling a lifeless girl carried out by firefighters and a young boy, bandaged and clinging to a paramedic. “I couldn’t sleep last night, thinking about the children. I can’t imagine how their parents must feel” he admitted.

Community and Official Response

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and police were alerted to the fire at approximately 9:45 a.m. on April 8. The 22 casualties included six adults aged between 23 and 55, and 16 children aged six to 10. The young Australian girl who perished succumbed to her injuries after being taken to the hospital, authorities confirmed. Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade issued a statement expressing deep condolences to the family and noted they are providing consular assistance, though privacy constraints limited further comment.

Tomato Cooking School expressed profound sadness in a Facebook post on April 9, pledging full cooperation with investigations. “At this moment, our priority remains the safety and well-being of everyone involved” the statement read, requesting privacy for affected families. The school’s profile picture was changed to a black background in a gesture of mourning, and they promised updates as the situation develops.

By April 9, the scene was cordoned off, with SCDF officers conducting investigations. Bouquets of flowers left by mourners dotted the area, a silent tribute to the young life lost. The SCDF also announced plans to honor those who aided in the rescue, including Mr. Shakil and his fellow workers, with the Community Lifesaver Award, recognizing their extraordinary courage.

Broader Impact and Personal Stories

Among the injured was seven-year-old Mark Shankar, son of Indian politician Pawan Kalyan, leader of the JanaSena political party. According to a post on X by the party on April 9, Mark sustained injuries to his hands and legs and underwent a bronchoscopy to assess his airways. Doctors have assured that his life is not in danger. Speaking to media in Hyderabad, Mr. Kalyan expressed gratitude to the construction workers for their bravery and noted that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally inquired about Mark’s condition.

Dani Rahmat, a 25-year-old barber shop owner near the site, praised the migrant workers’ selflessness. “I think they were super selfless. What they did was really inspiring” he said, echoing a sentiment felt by many in the community who witnessed the workers’ actions.

A Rising Toll of Fire Fatalities

This incident marks the fourth fire-related fatality in Singapore for 2025, following the deaths of a family of three in a Hougang flat fire in January. According to SCDF annual statistics, fire deaths have risen in recent years, with five fatalities recorded in 2024, up from three in 2023. While the cause of the River Valley Road fire remains under investigation, the tragedy underscores the urgent need for enhanced fire safety measures, particularly in older shophouse structures often used for commercial purposes in densely populated urban areas.

As Singapore mourns the loss of a young life and supports the recovery of the injured, the bravery of ordinary citizens like Shakil Mohammad stands as a testament to human compassion in the face of disaster. Yet, lingering questions about the fire’s origin and the adequacy of safety protocols in such buildings loom large, casting a shadow over the community’s grief.