The fire not only affected residents of the two damaged units, but caused significant disruption throughout the block.
Mr Jeffrey Foo, who lives on the 15th floor, said black smoke began to seep into his home. The 79-year-old retiree and some neighbours climbed up the stairs to the 24th floor to escape the smoke.
One of the home owners on that floor opened his doors to the residents who holed up inside, praying the fire would not spread further up.
“Some of them were crying, very poor thing, they were shocked,” said Mr Foo. “The fumes were terrible.”
It was only after over an hour at about 2.30pm that SCDF personnel contained the fire and safely ushered the residents down.
A woman whose elderly father lives in the flat opposite Ms Chan’s said his unit was not damaged but she was worried he would be affected by the smoke. SCDF personnel evacuated him safely. The woman, in her 50s, said her father was uninjured and is now staying with her.
Residents said those living on the 10th and 11th floors are still unable to return to their homes as the electricity on those floors remains cut off and is expected to be restored only after Aug 4.
CNA observed water damage in a ninth-floor unit directly below the source of the fire. Water dripped from the ceiling and the visibly distressed residents declined to speak to reporters.
CALLS FOR SAFETY REVIEW IN OLDER BLOCKS
Another resident, who lives on the 13th floor with his wife and two young children, said his flat lost power overnight and the family had to stay with his parents. His electricity was restored on Wednesday.
He raised concerns about evacuation procedures, noting the block is an older point block with a single staircase. He recalled that a fire 20 years ago prompted residents to request a second staircase, but this was never built.
He also said many residents living above the blaze on Tuesday could not evacuate the block as the fire was near the staircase, and had no choice but to head upstairs for safety.
“It’s up to the authorities or town council or HDB to see whether they want to do this, or any other measures, such as fire extinguishers,” he said.
MP for the area Saktiandi Supaat told CNA he has heard similar feedback about safety at point blocks, and has relayed these concerns to HDB, the town council and SCDF.
Mr Saktiandi also said affected households have been temporarily rehoused by HDB in nearby units, likely until flat owners complete the necessary repairs. Neighbouring units that were badly affected have also been offered interim housing.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, he said essential items such as mattresses, daily necessities and bottled water have been distributed through the Toa Payoh East Community Development and Welfare Fund and community partners such as Toa Payoh Seu Teck Sean Tong. Self-help groups have also donated clothing to affected residents.
A community WhatsApp channel has been set up to keep residents updated on repair works to the block, Mr Saktiandi added.
