SINGAPORE – A 60-year-old man was charged January 14 with offenses stemming from a 2022 fire in a Bedok North flat that killed four people, including a three-year-old child, and a seperate incident involving a pedestrian last year. It’s a case that’s resurfaced questions about accidental fires and road safety in densely populated Singapore.
Deadly Fire Linked to Unattended Cigarette
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A State Coroner’s inquiry determined a carelessly discarded cigarette sparked the blaze.
- Ithnin Hurdi faces charges related to a fatal fire and for causing grievous hurt to a pedestrian.
- The fire at Block 409 Bedok North Avenue 2 on May 13, 2022, claimed the lives of Aileen Chan, Tan Soon Keong, Tan Hui En, and Kwa Poey Yee.
- Investigators found the fire originated from a lit cigarette left on a cardboard box.
- The pedestrian was injured in a traffic incident on October 6, 2023, when Ithnin allegedly failed to yield while turning.
According to court documents, Ithnin Hurdi allegedly contributed to the risk of causing the fire by placing a lit cigarette on a cardboard box in the living room of a fourth-floor unit at Block 409 Bedok North Avenue 2 at approximately 6:30 a.m. on May 13, 2022. The incident resulted in the deaths of four individuals.
Q: What caused the Bedok North fire?
A: State Coroner adam Nakhoda ruled the fire an unfortunate misadventure, finding it was caused by a lit cigarette left unattended on a cardboard box.
The Fatal Fire Unfolds
The victims included homeowner Aileen Chan, 56, and two of her tenants, Malaysian Tan Soon Keong, 35, and his three-year-old daughter, Tan Hui En. Mr.Tan’s wife,Kwa Poey Yee,34,also died as an inevitable result of the blaze. Investigators determined that Ms. Chan, a film producer and actress who had previously battled cancer, was packing breakfast for Ithnin when he lit a cigarette in the master bedroom.
State coroner Nakhoda’s findings detailed that Ithnin, after dressing, sat on a recliner sofa in the living room and placed the lit cigarette on a cardboard box.
Separate Charge: Pedestrian Collision
In an unrelated case,Ithnin was also charged January 14 with causing grievous hurt to a 32-year-old pedestrian on October 6,2023.The incident occured at the junction of Spooner Road and Kampong Bahru Road at approximately 6:45 a.m., when Ithnin allegedly failed to give way while making a right turn. Details regarding the extent of the pedestrian’s injuries have not been disclosed.
Ithnin’s case is scheduled to be mentioned again on Febuary 11.
