Bukit Merah Blast - ‘We Won’t Move Back’

Source : TODAY, Tuesday, August 7, 2007

APPROACHING the place he once called home with trepidation, Mr Suherwan Jasmani (picture) stooped as dangling wires obstructed his way into the flat.

The safety supervisor, 27, was rendered homeless when a blast ripped through his 73-year-old neighbour’s one-room rental flat at Jalan Bukit Merah last Friday, damaging
everything within a 20-m radius.

The unit’s occupant, Mr Chan Fook Seng, died in hospital on Saturday night. Another victim, Madam Chan Soo Ngan, 79, is still in intensive care.

Eight of the affected households have been relocated to units in the same area.

Residents have been given a choice to stay in their new homes permanently, or move back to their old flats once repairs are done. Most have opted for their new units.

Said Mr Suherwan, who is staying at his parents’ place with his wife: “She is still traumatised by the incident. I don’t think we’d want to move back here because I don’t want my wife to be reminded of the experience.”

According to Minister of State for Defence Koo Tsai Kee, the area’s MP, two more families not directly affected have also asked to be relocated, and their appeal is under consideration.

Said Prof Koo, after paying his respects at Mr Chan’s wake: “The residents have been provided with $200 in cash and vouchers so far. We will follow up with more. The important thing is to give them enough help to start their new lives.”

Residents will also be given $30 worth of food rations, furniture and clothing, and food vouchers by charitable organisations.

GAS CANISTER NOT FAULTY:

SCDF The blast was not caused by a faulty gas canister, said the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), because the cylinder was intact when officers found it.

Although the cause is still under investigation, early evidence indicates a leakage in one of the connection points linking the canister to the stove.

The SCDF said owners could prevent gas leaks by conducting regular checks on their gas canisters. One way is to apply soapy water to connections such as gas tubings. If bubbles start to form, it is time to change the connections.