Family of girl who died in River Valley fire gather for last goodbye

Memorial service held in Tampines for Australian, 10, who died in hospital

- Christine Tan and Nadine Chua

As light rain fell over Tampines on the morning of April 11, the family of 10-year-old Freya Ji Yinan gathered to bid her farewell.

Freya, an Australian, died in hospital after a fire broke out in a shophouse in River Valley Road on April 8.

The blaze left 21 others injured.

Freya's family and friends came together on April 11 at Singapore Funeral Parlour in Tampines, where a memorial service was held for her.

There, Freya's portrait was adorned with white chrysanthemums, and dark and light pink roses.

A pink rabbit stuffed toy sat beside a memorial plaque which displayed her name and the brevity of her lifetime: 2014-2025.

At about 10.30am, an elderly woman arrived and, upon seeing Freya's portrait, collapsed on the ground and wailed.

Family members surrounded her as they cried and hugged one another.