SINGAPORE: Two construction workers are being praised as heroes after they rescued several children from a fire at a shophouse along River Valley Road on Tuesday (8 April).
Ramesh Kumar and Shakil Mohammad, who were working at a nearby construction site, sprang into action when they saw smoke coming from the building.
In an interview with CNA, the men described how they used scaffolding to reach a third-storey ledge where several children were trapped.
“I brought the scaffold, arranged it, climbed up, and rescued the babies one by one,” said Ramesh.
Shakil added, “My friend and I work here together. We came at 9am and saw smoke. The scaffolding was on this side. It was high up. I took the step ladder and put it here. Step by step, I climbed to the roof. I caught the baby and passed [them] to my friend. One by one, I brought them down.”
Ramesh noted that others had also stepped in to help.
“It was not just the two of us. There was another person, but I don’t know who. At that time, many came to help, but we didn’t know who they were.”
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) was alerted to the fire at 278 River Valley Road at about 9.45am.
When firefighters arrived, they found a raging fire on the second and third floors of the three-storey shophouse.
The building houses several child-focused businesses, including Tomato Cooking School, a children’s theatre group, and a robotics learning centre.
Videos circulating online showed children trapped on a third-storey ledge as thick smoke billowed from the unit.
In a statement, SCDF confirmed that members of the public, including construction workers, had used metal scaffolding and a ladder to rescue several of those stranded.
Firefighters later deployed rescue ladders and a combined platform ladder to evacuate the remaining occupants, while other officers fought the fire from within the building.
The blaze was brought under control within 30 minutes using three water jets. About 80 people were evacuated from the affected shophouse and nearby units.
According to police, 22 people — six adults and 16 children — were taken to hospitals.
The adults were aged between 23 and 55, while the children were between six and 10 years old. Tragically, a 10-year-old girl later died in hospital.
Preliminary investigations suggest no foul play, though police inquiries are ongoing.
Engineers from the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) assessed that the structural integrity of the building was not affected.
However, the affected premises have been ordered closed pending further investigations and rectification works.
Netizens Urge Authorities to Honour Brave Construction Workers
More than 1,500 comments poured in under CNA’s Facebook post, with many netizens praising Ramesh and Shakil for their heroism and calling for formal recognition.
One user urged authorities to commend them, saying, “These people should be commended by SCDF for a start. Thank you, thanks to them for saving these children!”
Another commenter suggested that the workers should not only be awarded but also offered permanent residency, with a reply supporting this: “Yes!! Minimally recognised by SCDF for the ‘Community Lifesaver Award’ and hopefully well rewarded as a token of gratitude by the parents of those children.”
Several users stressed the importance of acknowledging the workers’ initiative, noting that their early action likely prevented more casualties.
“Please reward these guys. If they didn’t use their initiative before the fire engines arrived, the fatality rate would have been higher,” one person wrote.
Another echoed the sentiment, thanking the men for their quick thinking and courage, which helped reduce the probable number of casualties.
Others hoped the workers and their families would receive financial support.
One netizen said a monetary award would offer real help, noting that while a trophy and certificate are motivating, cash would be more meaningful.
Another user made a heartfelt appeal for recognition, urging that the workers’ life-saving efforts for both adults and children be acknowledged.
“Their courage and quick actions made all the difference. They truly deserve to be recognised and rewarded for their heroic efforts,” the user said.
Public Applauds Workers’ Humility, Bravery and Selfless Spirit
Netizens also commended the humility and character of the two men.
One user praised how Ramesh and Shakil emphasised that they were not the only ones who helped, choosing not to take full credit.
Another wrote a heartfelt tribute, noting that the men acted without hesitation and risked their own lives — bravery that not even all locals might have shown.
The user added that migrant workers often display such selflessness in daily life, such as giving up their seats on public transport, and called for mutual respect regardless of race or nationality.
A separate commenter lauded the pair’s ingenuity, noting that placing a ladder on scaffolding is normally not allowed due to safety concerns. But in this case, the men took the risk to save the children.
Broader Reflections on the Role and Respect of Migrant Workers
The incident also prompted wider reflection on how migrant workers are treated in Singapore.
One user urged the public never to look down on those who help build the country — and who, in moments like this, may save lives.
They called for greater respect and fairness towards the migrant worker community.
The post Netizens praise heroic migrant workers who saved children from River Valley shophouse fire appeared first on The Online Citizen.
