28-8-2024 (SINGAPORE) A 44-year-old man was discovered dead with a partially burnt body in a Housing Development Board (HDB) block in Potong Pasir. The deceased, identified as Lin Mingli, an unemployed resident of the building, was found in the corridor on the eighth floor of Block 107 at approximately 6:40 am.
The victim’s 46-year-old brother, who requested anonymity and claimed to work in the financial industry, reported receiving notification from the police around 9 am regarding his sibling’s death. According to the brother’s account, Lin had been escorted home by a friend at about 6 am in an inebriated state.
“My younger brother just moved in with my aunt and cousin a year or two ago, and my aunt passed away just a hundred days ago,” the brother shared, adding, “My younger brother has a habit of drinking and sometimes smoking.”
It is believed that after his friend’s departure, Lin attempted to light a cigarette but accidentally set himself ablaze. A neighbour, hearing Lin’s groans, discovered him on fire and swiftly employed a fire extinguisher before alerting the authorities.
The intensity of the fire resulted in significant charring of parts of Lin’s body. The exact cause of death remains undetermined, pending further autopsy to ascertain whether burns or underlying health issues were responsible.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) confirmed receiving an alert at 6:45 am. Upon arrival, paramedics pronounced Lin dead at the scene.
The Singapore Police Force, when approached for comment, stated that preliminary investigations have ruled out homicide. However, the case remains under active investigation.
This incident has sent shockwaves through the typically quiet Potong Pasir community, raising concerns about fire safety in residential areas. Local authorities are expected to review safety measures and potentially implement additional precautions to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
