May 6, 2026 15:44 / Lianhe Zaobao
Man, 44, charged over charcoal-burning fire at Yusheng Road HDB flat
The fire broke out on Monday (May 4) evening at a unit on the 18th floor of Block 14, Yusheng Road, Aljunied, where items inside the unit were burned and large areas of the walls were charred black. (Photo by Kwan Chun Wai)
The 44-year-old man, who allegedly started a fire by burning charcoal inside a Yusheng Road HDB flat, pleaded in court when facing charges: “I started the fire, but I had no intention of causing harm.”
The accused, Lau Tiat Guan (44, transliterated), was charged via video link at the State Courts on Wednesday (May 6) with one count of mischief by fire with intent to destroy a building. The judge ordered him remanded at the Institute of Mental Health for two weeks to undergo a medical assessment.
The man was arrested by police on suspicion of malicious arson after the fire broke out. (File photo)
The fire broke out at around 9:40 pm on Monday (the 4th) at a unit on the 18th floor of Block 14, Yusheng Road, Aljunied. After the fire started, it spread rapidly with fierce flames, completely burning all items inside the unit.
The court documents showed that the accused allegedly lit a pot of charcoal in the living room of his home, knowing that it was likely to cause damage to the building.
The prosecution applied in court to remand the accused at the Institute of Mental Health for a medical assessment.
Accused requests bail, hoping to properly arrange care for his elderly parents
The accused appeared in court wearing a white shirt. After hearing the prosecution’s application, he requested the court to grant him bail. He said that although he had started the fire, he had no intention of causing any harm. His home has now been burned down, his parents are elderly and in poor health, and his father was scammed out of $1,000 last year. He currently has no idea about his parents’ situation. Therefore, he hopes to be granted bail to handle financial and rental matters and properly arrange care for his parents.
The prosecution said it would inform the case investigation officer of the situation and assist in contacting the Ministry of Social and Family Development if necessary.
The judge approved the prosecution’s application, ordering the accused to be remanded at the Institute of Mental Health for two weeks, with the next court hearing scheduled for May 20.
Under Section 436 of the Penal Code, those convicted of mischief by fire with intent to destroy a building can be sentenced to life imprisonment, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years, and may also be fined.
涉裕盛路组屋烧炭引发火患 44岁男子被控
2026年5月6日 15:44 / 联合早报
涉裕盛路组屋烧炭引发火患 44岁男子被控
这起火患发生在星期一（5月4日）晚上，地点是阿裕尼裕盛路第14座组屋18楼的一个单位，屋里的物品被烧毁，大片墙壁也被烧得焦黑。 （关俊威摄）
涉嫌在裕盛路组屋单位内烧炭引发火患，44岁男子上庭面控时辩解：“是我放的火，但我无意造成伤害。”
被告刘哲远（44岁，译音）星期三（5月6日）在国家法院通过视讯被控一项恶作剧纵火意图烧毁房屋的罪名。法官下令还押他在心理卫生学院两周，以接受医疗评估。
被告在火患发生后，因涉嫌恶意纵火被警方逮捕。（档案照片）
这起火患发生在星期一（4日）晚上约9时40分，地点在阿裕尼裕盛路第14座组屋18楼的一个单位，起火后，火势凶猛迅速蔓延，将单位内的物品烧毁殆尽。
控状显示，被告涉嫌在住家客厅点燃一锅木炭，且明知这么做很可能造成房屋损坏。
控方在庭上申请将被告还押在心理卫生学院，以进行医疗评估。
被告要求保释 望妥善安置双亲
被告身穿白色上衣出庭。他在听闻控方申请后，向法庭要求让他保释在外。他说，虽然火是他放的，但他无意造成任何伤害。住家如今已被烧毁，父母年事已高，且健康状况欠佳，父亲去年还被骗走1000元，目前他尚不清楚父母的情况。因此，希望能够获得保释，以处理相关财务和租房等问题，妥善安置双亲。
控方称会把情况转告案件调查官，若有必要会协助联系社会及家庭发展部。
法官批准控方的申请，下令把被告还押在心理卫生学院两周，案展本月20日再度过堂。
根据刑事法典第436节条文，恶作剧纵火意图烧毁房屋若罪成，可被判终身监禁，或不超过10年的监禁，并可另判罚款。
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