In a harrowing incident that stunned Singapore, a fierce fire engulfed the Tomato Cooking School on River Valley Road on April 8, tragically claiming the life of a 10-year-old Australian girl and injuring 21 others, including many children.

Dr. Laura Biffin, a local family physician, was working in her clinic nearby when chaos erupted. As she rushed outside to find the source of the commotion, she was met with the terrifying sight of flames engulfing the shophouse.

With her medical experience, Dr. Biffin quickly jumped into action, assisting in the evacuation of children to safety. Among them, one boy caught her attention — he appeared lifeless, with severe burns around his mouth. Driven by a sense of urgency, she ensured he could breathe, recognizing that he was likely in shock.

Dr. Biffin shared her heartache as she learned about prior safety violations at the school where her own daughter had attended cooking lessons just six months ago. "I just hope this tragedy will lead to stricter fire safety regulations," she expressed.

As investigations by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) revealed, the fire originated in a storage area that had unauthorized partitions — a grave oversight that could lead to severe penalties for those responsible.

The fire's impact was felt deeply within the community. Gojek driver Benson Lo, another hero of the day, recounted the moment he spotted children in distress, trapped on the third-floor ledge, crying in fear. Despite filling smoke, he bravely climbed scaffolding to save them, putting their safety above all else.

The remarkable courage displayed that day didn’t just come from professionals; ordinary citizens, including 15 migrant workers who rushed to the scene with ladders, were also recognized for their lifesaving efforts. Colonel Tay Zhi Wei, commander of the SCDF Division, praised their bravery, stating, "Your quick thinking and collective actions saved many lives that day."

The community continues to grieve the loss while calling for accountability and improved safety protocols to prevent such tragedies in the future.