4 fatal fires in 19 days highlight challenges of evacuating elderly residents with mobility issues
newsare.net
Awoken by the smell of smoke and persistent knocking on her front door, Siti Sara Hamid’s first thought was to evacuate her grandmother due to her mobility issues.Sara, 29, and her family of five were asleep when police officers instructed residents from Bl4 fatal fires in 19 days highlight challenges of evacuating elderly residents with mobility issues
Awoken by the smell of smoke and persistent knocking on her front door, Siti Sara Hamid’s first thought was to evacuate her grandmother due to her mobility issues.Sara, 29, and her family of five were asleep when police officers instructed residents from Block 979B Buangkok Crescent to evacuate, following a blaze at a unit at about 12.30am on Aug 20.The challenge of evacuating older residents with mobility difficulties was highlighted after four fatal fires in HDB estates in 19 days between July 28 and Aug 16.All the victims were elderly, aged between 65 and 88 years old. Around 220 people were evacuated.MPs and social service agencies have said the evacuation process is a concern and they are looking at ways to improve emergency preparedness and evacuation support.Shaken and unsteady on her feet, Sara’s grandmother, 83, was helped to the first floor by neighbours. Read more
