https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/bedok-north-fire-misadventure-toddler-lit-cigarette-3939076
The extent of the damage of the blaze at Block 409 Bedok North Avenue 2 on May 13, 2022. (Photos: Facebook/SCDF)
SINGAPORE: A three-year-old girl and her father died last year after inhaling fumes from a fire sparked by a lit cigarette left behind by their flatmate in a flat in Bedok North, a coroner's court has found.
A third death in the blaze - that of the girlfriend of the man who left the cigarette behind - was recorded as being due to extensive burns, with similar inhalation of fire fumes.
State Coroner Adam Nakhoda on Wednesday (Nov 22) ruled that the deaths of three-year-old Malaysian Tan Hui En, her 35-year-old father Tan Soon Keong and their 56-year-old flatmate Chan Ai Lin Aileen were unfortunate misadventures.
He found that there was no foul play involved, noting that Ms Chan's family felt the fire was accidental.
"From the family's observation, I note that they felt Mr Ithnin, Ms Chan's partner, was very affected by the tragedy and appeared inconsolable during (Ms Chan's) funeral wake," said the coroner.
While he found that none of the tenants hoarded discarded items at the flat at Block 409 Bedok North Avenue 2, it was clear that there were some cardboard boxes stored in the living room.
A relative of Ms Chan's had also described her as a sentimental person who would store old items in the unit.
Both Ms Chan and Mr Ithnin were smokers and would smoke in the flat, usually in the master bedroom, said the coroner.
Presumably, they would have stubbed out their cigarettes in an ashtray, he said.
Three dead, including toddler, after fire breaks out in Bedok flat
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On the morning of the incident on May 13, 2022, Mr Ithnin woke up at about 5.20am and showered before preparing to leave for work.
Ms Chan was preparing his breakfast. Mr Ithnin lit a cigarette in the master bedroom and dressed for work.