With some crowdfunding and a whole lot of kind-hearted folks, a family in Hougang just might be able to rebuild their lives once again after their house got burnt down earlier this month.
The blaze razed down the flat of 70-year-old Junid Salim, destroying the living room, bedrooms and kitchen on July 3, located at Block 699B along Hougang Street 52. The New Paper reported on how Junid — a cancer patient — had heroically tried to put out the fire when it ignited from inside a bedroom. His young grandson was the one who alerted the septuagenarian from his sleep, alerting him to the already raging fire.
Junid told his grandson to run while he went to use pails of water to put out the fire. He was carrying his third pail of water when he fell, and a neighbour pleaded with him to just get out of the burning unit.
Ironically, Junid had just retired from working as a dispatch rider for an insurance company — but didn’t purchase any insurance for his house.
Alex Siyuan heard about his plight and decided to set up a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo to raise funds for the unfortunate family, and so far it has already surpassed its initial goal of $2,370 USD. As of writing, 126 people contributed and raised $4,301 USD for the family with 18 more days left to the end of the campaign.
With Hari Raya coming very soon, Junid and his family should be heartened to know that there are people out there willing to help them tide through their current predicament.
Photo: Indiegogo screengrab
