Personal mobility device is a convenient and fun thing that some of us used to have a few years back. In recent days, many of these devices have been banned.
This is because they not only caused accidents to unsuspecting pedestrians but in some cases, overcharging them can set one’s home on fire as well.
Unfortunately, in this case, this delivery rider passed away after his PMD caught fire in the lift.
20YO Delivery Rider Who Died in PMD Lift Fire Was Kind & Had Done Charity
Described as “kind” and “gentle”, 20-year-old, Mr Muhammad Irfan Danish Azhar was the victim of a freak accident in the Woodlands lift fire.
Known as “A” to former MP Amrin Amin, Mr Irfan had helped deliver briyani to needy residents in Woodlands on his PMD during Ramadan in 2018 and 2019.
“Only 20, A’s bright future crushed. I feel very sorry for his parents, family and friends. My deepest condolences for their profound loss. In this difficult time, I wish them strength and courage. We remember A for his warmth and kindness and the many lives he has touched,” Mr Amrin added.
He also urged owners of non-UL2272-certified PMD to dispose of it at an appropriate recycler.
It is unclear whether Mr Irfan’s PMD had a UL2272 certification.
According to ST, Mr Irfan’s girlfriend posted a copy of his death certificate on Instagram and wrote in a mix of Malay and English.
“It’s difficult to sleep without your ‘goodnights’… your ‘I’m home’, and the videos you’d send me when you’re home or when you just wake up.”
A Muslim funeral was held for Mr Irfan yesterday (5 June) at Masjid Maarof, a mosque in Jurong West.
PMD Caught Fire in Woodlands Lift
On 3 June, Mr Irfan entered the lift at Block 537 Woodlands Drive 16 when his PMD burst into flames.
“Popping tiles” noise and screams could be heard by the residents. Black smoke not only filled the corridor but it also “seeped” into some of the residents’ flat.
A resident smelled burning plastic as well.
When Mr Irfan came out of the lift on the second floor, he was still on fire. Residents rushed to douse the flames.
According to Shin Min Daily News, Mr Irfan was still conscious and breathing heavily before he was rushed to Khoo Teck Hospital.
He passed away on Friday (4 June).
In a Facebook post, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said they were alerted to the fire at 11.25pm on 3 June. The lift was extinguished with buckets of water by the residents before the SCDF officers arrived.
Over 90 residents from the block were evacuated as a precaution.
“Preliminary investigation into the cause of the fire indicates that it was of electrical origin from a Personal Mobility Device (PMD),” SCDF added in the Facebook post.
Other Fatal PMD Fire
Unfortunately, this is not the first case of a fatal PMD fire in Singapore.
In 2019, a 40-year-old private hire driver passed away after his PMD caught fire and engulfed his flat in flames.
He was unconscious when he was pulled out of his flat but he passed away two days later.
Featured Image: Facebook (SCDF/Vikram Nair)