Red Dot United visited Henderson Road fire site, SCDF to hold ceremonial funeral to honour Cpl Edward Go

SINGAPORE: Red Dot United’s (RDU) team led by their secretary-general Ravi Philemon visited the site of a fire at Block 91 Henderson Road, and conveyed their condolences to the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) team on the passing of their firefighter who fell unconscious during the firefighting operations and was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

On 8 Dec, SCDF were alerted to a fire at Henderson Road at around 11.10am. During the firefighting operation, Corporal Edward Go, 19, fell unconscious in the kitchen area. The other firefighters brought him out of the unit and administered cardio-pulmonary resuscitation on him. An SCDF ambulance crew at the scene also used the automated external defibrillator on him and conveyed him to Singapore General Hospital. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

“We are saddened to learn of the passing of our SCDF Firefighter in the fire at Blk. 91 Henderson Road. Team RDU was at the site of the fire in Tanjong Pagar GRC earlier this evening,” posted RDU on their Facebook on the night of the unfortunate incident.

“We could not meet the family living in the affected unit, but we left our contact details with their neighbours and told them to contact us if they needed any help. If any of our readers know someone who was affected by the tragic incident, please reach out to us.”

In a press statement on 9 Dec, SCDF said that they will be holding a ceremonial funeral to honour the late Corporal Go. The 19-year-old had been involved in more than 20 fire and rescue incidents, and enlisted for his National Service on 5 January 2022. Prior to enlistment, Go was certified medically fit and assessed to be of Physical Employment Standards’ (PES) ‘A’. After completing his firefighter course, CPL Go was posted to Central Fire Station on 4 May 2022.

“Corporal Edward was part of the first response crew for the fire incident on 8 December 2022. SCDF officers, like Corporal Edward, put their lives on the line each time they enter the scene of a fire in order to save others,” said SCDF.

“SCDF is deeply saddened by the death of CPL Edward. He is our first colleague to have fallen during an operation. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, and are providing them with our fullest support. With the agreement of the family, we will be holding a ceremonial funeral to honour Corporal Edward H Go.”

Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam also posted on Facebook to express his condolences to the family, “Very unfortunate that a full-time SCDF NSF firefighter passed away today while fighting a fire at Henderson Road. Young man. Very sad. Home Team officers work tirelessly and bravely every day to keep our homes and Singaporeans safe.”

We do our best to protect our officers, but the nature of the work means that there will always be risks. My deepest condolences to his family. MHA will assist them during this difficult time.”