Foreign workers rush in with pails to douse car fire at HDB carpark: ‘Always the first to help’
A group of men, believed to be foreign workers, have earned the praise and respect of netizens for helping to put out a car fire at an HDB carpark.
Their quick response was captured in a video shared by Facebook user @Sheryle O. Oro on April 12. “Respect and salute to those (who) help to put out the fire,” said the caption.
The footage shows flames emerging from the bonnet of a parked MPV, which commenters identified as a Toyota Estima.
In the video, one man is seen dousing the flames with a pail of water, before three others follow with more pails, emptying them onto the MPV’s bonnet as smoke billows from the engine compartment.
One of the men later manages to get hold of a fire extinguisher and uses it to put out the fire.
The video ends with a Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) vehicle arriving, with officers taking over the situation.
The post has received more than 236,000 views, 1,200 reactions and 140 comments.
‘Good Samaritans’
Many netizens commended the men for stepping in quickly.
“Always the first person to render immediate help… the foreign workers… kudos and well done… thanks for keeping SG safe,” one Facebook user said.
“So brave! Respect and well done. Good Samaritans!” said one, while another commented: “Without them we are (at a) standstill.”
Some, however, made comparisons with locals.
“Again the foreign workers came to do it. The locals just record on video,” another said.
There were also questions about the cause of the fire.
“Why nowadays many fires, all places?” asked a netizen.
Some speculated that electric vehicles (EVs) could be to blame. However, the vehicle involved — a Toyota Estima — is not an EV, though hybrid versions exist.
Others offered suggestions. “If every vehicle had more than one fire extinguisher, there might be a better chance of containing (a) fire,” said one.
Stomp has reached out to the SCDF for more information.
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