Man Dies in Fire Outside Potong Pasir HDB Flat

A 44-year-old man, identified as Lim Min Lee, tragically died in a fire that broke out outside a Housing Board flat in Potong Pasir on August 28. The Singapore Police Force and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) were alerted to the incident around 6:45 am.

Upon arrival, they found Mr. Lim lying motionless outside a unit in Block 107, Potong Pasir Avenue 1. Passers-by had initially attempted to extinguish the fire using a fire extinguisher before SCDF firefighters arrived. Paramedics subsequently found Mr. Lim unresponsive, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The police have stated that foul play is not suspected.

When The Straits Times arrived at the location around 10 am, several police vehicles were parked nearby, and police officers were seen outside the flat. White sheets had been placed along the corridor. By around 12:40 pm, police officers and staff from a casket company were seen carrying the body into a lift from the eighth floor.

Mr. Lim's brother, who was informed of the incident by a cousin living with the victim, described him as a kind, righteous, and carefree individual who was loyal to his friends. The cousin mentioned that Mr. Lim had returned home early on the morning of the incident.

According to Chinese-language daily Lianhe Zaobao, the charred remains of Mr. Lim were found outside the flat. A neighbor reported waking up around 6 am to the sound of screams that seemed to indicate someone was in severe pain, but she did not hear any calls for help. Initially, she thought the sounds were related to a funeral taking place on the ground floor of the HDB block.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.