Father and son break into burning Yishun flat to save it before SCDF even arrives

A father-and-son pair earned widespread praise online after they forced open the door of a burning fourth-floor unit at Block 461A Yishun Avenue 6 and extinguished the fire themselves on the evening of July 24, 2026. A TikTok video posted by a resident from an opposite block captured the moment glass windows shattered and loud bangs rang out — the sound of the pair forcing entry — before the flames were brought under control. By the time two SCDF fire engines arrived at the block, only black smoke remained billowing from the unit's windows. SCDF confirmed they were alerted at approximately 7.25pm and that the fire had involved a mattress in the bedroom; a member of the public had already extinguished it using a hose reel before crews reached the scene. No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation. A netizen who witnessed the incident wrote in the TikTok comments: "Thanks to the kid and his dad for their brave response. Before SCDF arrived, they broke the door and entered the unit to fight the fire. Respect to them." Another commenter added: "Kudos to everyone who helped and all the neighbours who gave warnings to each other." The incident drew an outpouring of admiration across social media, with many noting that the pair's swift action likely prevented the fire from spreading to neighbouring units in the Yishun HDB block.