Fatal Toa Payoh fire: Residents believe male victim was a hoarder

One day after a fatal fire resulted in two deaths in Toa Payoh Lorong 1, some residents said they believed one of the victims was a "hoarder" from the second floor.

- Zaihan Mohamed Yusof

The fire on July 22 that ravaged a three-room flat on the second floor of Block 173 caused over 100 residents to be evacuated from the block at about 7.30pm.

A 56-year-old man and a 61-year-old woman were found lying motionless in the unit, according to the police.

They were pronounced dead at the scene by a paramedic.

Although the identities of the victims have not been revealed by the authorities, a resident on the third floor told The Straits Times that he was familiar with the dead man.

The resident, who gave his name only as Mr Wong, was cleaning the soot off his front window when ST visited him on the morning of July 23.

"He collects a lot of things and places them along the corridor," said Mr Wong, 45, who moved into the estate a few months ago.