A Day of Terror at River Valley

On April 8, a fire erupted at a shophouse along River Valley Road, sending desperate screams into the air. Construction worker Shakil Mohammad, who was on site nearby, sprang into action upon hearing the chaos.

Bravery When It Mattered Most

Shakil, a 35-year-old from Bangladesh, witnessed children perilously teetering on a ledge three stories up. 'The children wanted to jump. I shouted, “Don’t jump! I will help you!”' he recalled in an emotional interview.

With a ladder swiftly secured from the construction site, Shakil and his fellow workers began the rescue. As Shakil climbed second, he caught children handed to him—a haunting image from that day was of a young girl, unresponsive in his arms. 'The fire was scorching hot. But if I die trying to save them, it would be worth it,' he said bravely.

Tragedy Strikes