SINGAPORE: On Thursday (19 September), a fire broke out in an industrial building at 25 Kaki Bukit Road 4, resulting in the deaths of two men.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) responded to the incident at approximately 12:55pm, finding thick smoke enveloping the fifth floor.

During the operation, two unconscious individuals were located in a unit opposite the one ablaze and were immediately rushed to Changi General Hospital, where they were later pronounced dead.

The victims were identified as 51-year-old Malaysian Luo Jiaqiang (罗家强) and 65-year-old Singaporean Vincent, as reported by Lianhe Zaobao.

Both were carpentry foremen who had scheduled a lunch meeting with He Shuxiang, the 63-year-old owner of a furniture company, at 12:30pm.

However, due to last-minute work issues, Mr He was delayed, and the two men went to rest in separate rooms on the mezzanine floor.

When the fire erupted, two employees working on a lower floor attempted to warn the men before evacuating.

Despite shouting to alert them, Mr Luo and Mr Vincent could not hear and were unable to escape.

The employees tried to rescue the pair but were thwarted by the thick smoke.

They managed to reach the men by phone, with Vincent reportedly saying, “It’s choking; I can’t breathe,” before the call cut off.

Mr Luo’s call also ended abruptly after about a minute, with only the sound of laboured breathing.

After failing to make further contact, the employees informed the firefighters and evacuated the building.

Mr He expressed deep regret over the tragedy, wondering if it could have been prevented had he arrived on time for the meeting.

The two men had been discussing a potential collaboration on a furniture project when the fire broke out.

Luo moved to Singapore two decades ago after a family dispute

On Friday, Mr Luo’s younger brother, Luo Jialong, visited the mortuary to claim his body.

In an interview with 8world News, he recounted how he had been notified of his brother’s death between 3pm and 4pm the previous day by one of Mr Luo’s colleagues.

Mr Luo had moved to Singapore 20 years earlier following a family dispute but had reconciled with his relatives just six months ago.

Since then, he had returned to Malaysia every weekend to spend time with his family, with his final visit occurring on Sunday (15 September).

His funeral will be held in Malaysia on 22 September.

The Singapore police confirmed that both men were found unconscious and later succumbed to their injuries.

Preliminary investigations have ruled out foul play, though inquiries are ongoing.

Singapore: A group of elderly men has reportedly been eating leftovers at in People’s Park Food Centre, as reported by Shin Min Daily News on Wednesday (18 September).

According to tips from readers, these elderly men have been spotted scavenging for food at the bustling food centre in Chinatown.

Witnesses noted that they not only take unfinished meals from tables but also search the dish return area for additional leftovers.

Several hawkers reported seeing multiple elderly individuals, including one specific man, frequently visiting the food centre to collect leftovers, although they were unaware of their identities and living situations.

A Chinese food hawker, who has worked there for over ten years, noted that at least three or four scavengers come daily, usually around 8 or 9 PM, and sometimes kind customers buy food for them.

Another stall assistant, Ms Ma, observed that diners often leave their tables, allowing the older man to sit down and eat the leftovers directly.

Cleaner Mr Quan mentioned that while he has seen the man taking food left by others, he has also witnessed him buying his own meals, suggesting he is not in dire financial need.

Additionally, Quan noted that these scavengers typically arrive around 10 AM and leave in the afternoon.

One Elderly Man Interviewed Attributes Leftover Eating Habit to Waste Prevention, Not Financial Struggles

Among the scavengers is Mr Wang, an 84-year-old resident of Bedok, who emphasised that he doesn’t want to waste food.

He told reporter, “I have a home and children, but it’s very lively here, so I come every day and go home in the evening.”

He acknowledged his habit of eating leftovers, stating, “It’s not because I lack money; I simply don’t want to waste food.”

He explained, “Some people order a lot and can’t finish it; sometimes a whole fish is left uneaten. ”

“When I see large plates of leftover food, I think it’s a waste, so I take it to eat, and it’s still warm,” he said, adding that other scavengers respect each other’s space and enjoy their own finds.

Not everyone supports the practice of scavenging for leftovers. Daniel Tay, a retired financial advisor and advocate for freeganism, expressed concerns about the potential dangers of consuming discarded food.

He pointed out that it’s often unclear how long the food has been left out or if it has been contaminated by animals or pests, which could lead to food poisoning.

“It’s extremely unhygienic. Diners might throw away food or toss used napkins into it, contaminating it further. If a diner gets sick, such as with the flu or COVID-19, they could pass the virus to someone eating the leftovers,” he warned.

Tay suggested a more proactive approach, encouraging people to ask diners if they can take home any uneaten food, which would help ensure the food is clean and raise awareness about food waste.

Netizens Urge Agencies to Address Challenges Faced by Elderly Amid Rising Living Costs

Comments on Shin Min’s Facebook page reveal that many netizens suspect the elderly men scavenging for food may be facing significant challenges and are urging relevant agencies to reach out to understand their situations.

Some are questioning whether the rising cost of living in Singapore is prompting individuals to resort to drastic measures to save money.

One netizen commented, “Every family has its own difficulties; who hasn’t faced storms and hardships? If you see an elderly person, please invite him to a meal. After all, we will all grow old one day. Whether it’s a blessing or a curse, only heaven and earth know. I believe that Singaporeans who see him will definitely invite him to a meal.”

Discussion on Singapore’s Hardwarezone forum also highlighted that many have witnessed similar situations, indicating that this issue is not new.

One netizen speculated that some elderly individuals might be facing mental health challenges. The user shared observation of an elderly woman in Little India who regularly collects cardboard and sells 4D lottery tickets. Despite receiving money from passersby, she continues her activities.

Another user recounted an experience of seeing an elderly woman eating directly from leftover plates and offered to buy her a plate of duck rice.

However, the hawker advised that it would be pointless, as the woman allegedly prefers eating leftovers to fresh food. The netizen expressed pity for her situation, noting that other customers had also tried to buy her a meal.

Not the First Time Elderly Individuals Spotted Scavenging for Leftovers at People’s Park Food Centre

This is not the first time elderly individuals have been spotted eating leftover food at People’s Park Food Centre.

In November 2022, 8World News reported that at least seven elderly people allegedly engage in such practice regularly at the hawker centre. These individuals typically search for unfinished food left on tables or at the tray return area.

At that time, in response to inquiries from 8World News, the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) stated that they were collaborating with grassroots volunteers and hawkers to identify these elderly individuals and provide assistance if needed.

MSF encourages the public to report any elderly individuals in need of help by calling 1800-222-0000 or connecting them with local social service agencies through the OneService App.