KUALA LUMPUR: A fire that broke out at a shophouse in Geylang, Singapore, yesterday claimed the lives of four Malaysians working as cleaners in the island republic.
Three of them were men aged between 40 and 50. They were found unconscious by firefighters in the building and had died at the scene. The fourth victim, whose gender and age had yet to be confirmed, died in hospital.
The Straits Times newspaper in Singapore reported that the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) was alerted about 1.40am.
SCDF said it despatched two fire engines, six ambulances and other rescue vehicles to the scene.
“Upon arrival within five minutes, thick black smoke was coming out of the unit. SCDF firefighters entered the unit with two water jets. The fire was located at the centre of the unit and was extinguished within 30 minutes,” the statement said.
SCDF said, during a search of the unit, firemen found three men, aged between 40 and 50, unconscious in one of the rooms. They were immediately rescued from the shoplot.
Paramedics had performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation on them but the three died at the scene.
The authorities also rushed seven other occupants in the shoplot to Tan Tock Seng Hospital and Singapore General Hospital for treatment.
However, it was understood that one of the victims died at the hospital.
SCDF also reported that two of its firemen sustained minor injuries and were brought to hospital for treatment. It said the cause of the fire was being investigated.
At press time, the identities of the deceased were unknown.