Shocking Ang Mo Kio HDB Fire: Teenagers Face Arrest Amidst Public Mischief Probe

In a deeply disturbing incident that has rocked the Ang Mo Kio community, three teenagers, aged between 13 and 14, have been arrested in connection with a fire that ravaged an HDB flat. The Singapore Police Force confirmed their arrest on Monday, May 13, under the Protection from Harassment Act (POHA) for public nuisance, while also investigating them for public mischief.

The incident, which unfolded last Wednesday, May 8, at Block 341 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1, saw a residential unit on the eighth floor engulfed in flames, prompting an urgent response from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).

According to reports, the SCDF was alerted to the blaze at approximately 6:50 PM.

Swift action by firefighters contained the inferno, which was extinguished using a water jet. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries. However, the emotional and financial toll on the affected family is immense, with the flat suffering extensive damage from the flames, smoke, and shattered windows.

Ms.

Toh, the distressed occupant of the unit, shared her harrowing experience with CNA. She recounted that neither she nor her daughter were home when the fire erupted. It was her elderly mother, who had briefly stepped out, who returned to a horrifying scene: the front door handle was scorching hot, and thick smoke billowed from within.

The fire, which Ms. Toh believes was intentionally set, appears to have originated from a shoe rack just outside their flat, rapidly spreading inwards and causing significant destruction to her home and belongings.

CCTV footage obtained by the family painted a grim picture, showing a young male teenager placing an item on their shoe rack before hastily fleeing the scene.

Ms. Toh’s mother, demonstrating incredible composure, immediately alerted neighbours and contacted the emergency services, preventing further escalation of the disaster.

The severity of the damage has forced Ms. Toh’s family to vacate their home, temporarily residing with her sister while they grapple with the aftermath.

The once-vibrant living space is now a stark reminder of the incident, with scorched walls, broken glass, and belongings ruined by smoke.

Further unsettling details emerged through social media. A parent of a schoolmate of the arrested teenagers contacted CNA, sharing a video from a student’s Instagram story.

This video, allegedly recorded by the teenagers themselves, depicted the fire in progress and disturbingly featured a group of students watching, with one individual audibly claiming responsibility for starting the fire. The students in the video are reportedly from a nearby secondary school, adding another layer of concern regarding youth behaviour and accountability.

Police investigations are actively ongoing to unravel the full circumstances surrounding this alarming act of alleged public mischief.

The arrest under the Protection from Harassment Act for public nuisance underscores the serious nature of such actions, especially when they endanger lives and property. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of reckless behaviour and the importance of responsible conduct within the community.