SCDF Officer Jailed for Negligence in NSF Firefighter's Tragic Death

In a tragic case that marked Singapore Civil Defence Force’s (SCDF) first firefighter fatality, Warrant Officer 2 (WO2) Muhammad Kamil Mohamed Yasin, 39, was sentenced to six months' jail on January 15 for causing grievous hurt by a rash act. The incident occurred during a fire at Block 91 Henderson Road on December 8, 2022, when Kamil left 19-year-old national serviceman (NSF) Sgt Edward H. Go alone to fight the blaze.

Despite knowing SCDF’s protocol requiring firefighters to operate in pairs, Kamil left the flat, citing dizziness from heat exhaustion. Before departing, he gave Sgt Go a thumbs-up but did not verbally inform him or colleagues that the NSF was left alone. Kamil chose to rest at a nearby staircase landing instead of the designated rest area, avoiding detection.

The fire remained uncontrolled, and another officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Hassan, who took over as ground commander, assumed the firefighters had exited the flat. However, when more personnel arrived, Sgt Go was found unresponsive on the kitchen floor. He was later pronounced dead due to suffocation caused by a depleted air cylinder.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Benjamin Low highlighted Kamil’s 14 years of experience, emphasizing that leaving a firefighter alone was unjustifiable. Kamil initially provided conflicting accounts to investigators before admitting to his actions. His lawyer argued that the challenging conditions, including the fire's intensity and low water pressure, contributed to Kamil’s decision, which was made under duress.

The court acknowledged the immense loss suffered by Sgt Go’s family, with District Judge Shawn Ho extending condolences. The judge noted that Kamil’s actions resulted in a loss of life and harm on multiple levels, and he dismissed arguments that the fire’s difficulty should mitigate culpability.

Following Kamil’s conviction, SCDF confirmed his interdiction without pay and announced disciplinary proceedings that could lead to dismissal. Another unidentified officer involved in the incident also faces internal disciplinary actions.

SCDF reaffirmed its commitment to operational safety, ensuring firefighters can perform their duties effectively while minimizing risks.

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