Mr Saktiandi spoke to CNA after he arrived at the scene of the fire at around 2.45pm.
He said he was aware there were still residents stuck on the higher floors, but that SCDF was “trying their best” to evacuate them.
When asked about the residents conveyed to the hospital, Mr Saktiandi said he hopes that they are well taken care of.
“I’m worried about the firefighters because… it’s a point block, it (does not) have (corridors), and (the unit) is on a high floor,” he said. “Let’s hope they can contain the fire.”
Grassroots leaders will ensure that the occupants of units affected by the fire are provided with alternative housing arrangements, said Mr Saktiandi, who represents the Toa Payoh East ward in the constituency. These temporary arrangements will be provided by HDB.
He said he was not aware of what caused the fire and did not want to speculate about this, urging the public to wait for SCDF to complete its investigation into the incident.
Mr Maheason Prumal, assistant treasurer of the Toa Payoh East Zone 2 Residents’ Network, said that the area’s residents’ committee centre has also been prepared to accommodate those who need a place to sleep tonight following the fire.
Mr Prumal and his team of volunteers also brought water, fruit juice and snacks for residents.
“We’re very concerned about the elderly because this is quite a mature estate,” he said.
“Besides the agencies doing their work, we as the resident committee are doing everything we can to manage and calm down the trauma,” he added.
Ms Ivy Wang, who lives in the unit next to the one where the fire started, said that her husband received a message from a neighbour living in the opposite block about the blaze on the 10th floor.
“They live next to us. Their laundry area is next to our laundry area. When we look up from here, we can see that (our flat is) not affected. But we’re worried about the kitchen,” she said.
Ms Wang and her husband said that they will likely be staying in temporary housing provided by HDB for the time being.
At about 4.15pm, several residents at the basketball court were still being assessed by paramedics, with some being given oxygen and having their blood pressure checked.
By 6.10pm, all residents except those living on floors nine to 13 had been allowed to return to their units.
