“Three people were rescued by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) at a warehouse unit in Toa Payoh on Tuesday (Jan 28) after a mezzanine floor and storage racks collapsed inside the unit,” reveals a report from Channel News Asia. The incident, which also involved two children, occurred at the warehouse on 11 Toa Payoh Industrial Park.
Upon receiving the alert at about 5.50pm, SCDF deployed firefighters from Bishan Fire Station, as well as rescuers from the Special Response Unit and Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team, to the scene. The description of the scene was stark: “A total of four people were initially ‘trapped under piles of rugs’ following the collapse.” One person managed to free himself before SCDF’s arrival and informed the rescuers about the remaining three individuals still trapped under the debris.
Upon arrival, the SCDF team, with the assistance of two search dogs, undertook a meticulous search of the collapsed area, which spanned approximately 20m by 10m. The SCDF detailed their efforts, stating, “The firefighters and rescuers removed piles of rugs and cut through storage racks to reach the three trapped persons.” After an intense 90-minute operation, all three individuals, including the two children, were successfully rescued.
Following the rescue, all four individuals affected by the collapse were promptly transported to hospitals for further medical attention. The adults were taken to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, while the children were sent to KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital. The SCDF confirmed that “All four persons were conscious when conveyed to the hospitals.”
In a statement by the SCDF displayed on their Facebook post, it was shared that the rescue operation was laborious but successful, showcasing the dedicated efforts of the SCDF personnel involved. The photo accompanies the post, depicting the SCDF officers working diligently to rescue those trapped in the aftermath of the mezzanine floor collapse at the warehouse unit in Toa Payoh.
