Migrant workers hailed as heroes after Singapore shophouse fire rescue

Risking their lives and without safety gear, construction workers scaled a burning building to save children trapped on a third-storey ledge

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A still from a social media video shows migrant workers coming to the rescue of children trapped on the window ledge of a burning shophouse in River Valley, Singapore, on Tuesday. Photo: Handout

Published: 1:29pm, 9 Apr 2025Updated: 1:30pm, 9 Apr 2025

When a fire broke out at a shophouse in Singapore on Tuesday, it was a group of migrant workers who first risked their lives to save others, stepping in before the emergency services had even arrived.

Their courage in the face of danger has drawn viral admiration – and calls for greater recognition of the city state’s migrant workforce.

Spotting smoke billowing from the building in the River Valley area on Tuesday morning, the construction workers moved swiftly, grabbing scaffolding and a ladder.

Without the use of safety harnesses, they scaled the building to rescue children trapped by the flames on a third-storey ledge.

“I took the step ladder and put it here, and … went to the roof” said Shakil Mohammad, one of the workers, in an interview with CNA. “I caught the baby and passed to my friend. One by one, I brought them down.”

Ramesh Kumar, another worker involved in the daring rescue, said: “It’s not just us two, another person also helped, but I don’t know who. At that time, many came to help, but we don’t know who.”