+ Neighbours | Arson Again?

Light Fire Truck at Carpark 730A - Photo by Danish

It was an unsettling feeling to have thought that mybe there was another case of arson around our neighbourhood.

It was an even more angry feeling to have thought that there was a serial arsonist lurking around amidst our homes! Not a great way to start a new year!

At about 9:00pm, while we were in our son's room - me busy with the new installation of Norton Antivirus 2006 to his PC while my wife was chatting with him before tucking him to bed.

We smelt a burning smell and started checking all electrical appliances and fitting just ot be sure. Sponteneously, we thought maybe the carpark was on fire AGAIN!

Looked out of the window expecting smoke out from the carpark, but none, neither was there any commotion from the neighbours, so we resumed what we were doing.

Less than 5 minutes later, we heard sirens from the fire truck. My son jumped out of his bed and looked out of the window.

The Light Attack Fire truck had just arrived and stopped where?

YES, at the carpark! Oh NO, not again!

I felt a mixed feeling of anger and anxiousness. The fact that our neighbourhood becomes a target of arson is very unsettling to me. Thousand possibilities came to mind...

Was it for revenge? Was it just for fun or dare? Even more sinister... A scare tactic to push for sales of security systems? Nah, would not work in Singapore or get away with it. Then what?

With my camera already in my son's hands, expecting me to go out with him to find out from up close. Off we went to the carpark.

There were already people standing around looking for fire. None.

There were several firemen already on different levels of the carpark searching for the fire. None.

My son went right up close to the fire truck and was clicking away like a pro photo-journalist. A while later a couple in their forties came forward to the fire truck and told them that they were the ones who called for them.

They both smelt burning smoke and saw the flickering yellow light on the top most level on the carpark from their window and thought that it was the light from a fire.

Just to be sure, the firemen checked all corners of the 4 storey carpark and went back relived I bet, just like the rest of us here.

The small crowd dispersed as well, us included.

Strangely, the couple who reported the fire went the same way back to our block and waited for the lift, while we took the stairs.

It is a good felling to know that there was not another case of arson here.

One thing still unanswered, though... Where was that strong burning smell that both our family and the couple came from?