Bravery doesn’t always wear a uniform. Sometimes, it wears a construction vest, stained with sweat and grit, and beats within hearts full of compassion.
On April 8, 2025, an ordinary workday in River Valley turned into a scene of chaos and fear. A fire had broken out in a shophouse, trapping people inside. Smoke billowed through the air, and cries for help pierced the street. As onlookers stood frozen in fear, four migrant workers, Subramanian Saranraj, Inderjit Singh, Nagarajan Anbarasan, and Sivasami Vijayaraj, sprang into action.
These men didn’t receive firefighter training. They didn’t wear any protective gear. But what they had was courage, presence of mind, and a powerful sense of humanity.
The Heroes Across the Street
Bravery Without Borders: How Four Migrant Workers Saved Lives in the River Valley Fire
Working on a construction site just across the road, they noticed the smoke and heard the desperate voices of children and adults trapped in the upper floors. Without hesitation, the four rallied together. They grabbed scaffolding from their worksite, carried it across the street, and quickly set it up beneath the burning building.
As the fire raged, they stood steady, anchoring the scaffolding so that those trapped above could climb down to safety. One by one, lives were saved. Adults and children descending through the smoke and fear into the arms of those who refused to let them fall.
Their quick thinking and fearless teamwork prevented what could have been a far greater tragedy.
Honoring Their Bravery
Bravery Without Borders: How Four Migrant Workers Saved Lives in the River Valley Fire
Jason Tang, Deputy Director of the Forward Assurance and Support Team (FAST), awarded the four men the Friends of ACE (FACE) coin in recognition of their selfless act. He gives the FACE coin to individuals who demonstrate extraordinary commitment to community and solidarity. It was a small token for a towering act of courage.
“These men didn’t hesitate. They acted out of pure instinct to help others, even at great personal risk,” said Tang. “They embody the very best of us.”
A Loss That Reminds Us Why This Matters
While their heroism saved many lives, the fire still claimed one, and others remain hospitalized. Our hearts go out to the family who lost a loved one, and we wish a full recovery to those still healing from the incident.
A Wake-Up Call to See the People Around Us
Singapore’s migrant workers are often the invisible engines of our society, building our homes, maintaining our city, working tirelessly behind the scenes. This act of bravery forces us to pause and reflect: Do we see them? Do we truly value them, beyond their labor?
These four men didn’t stop to ask who needed help. They simply saw fellow human beings in danger, and they chose to act. They remind us that community isn’t defined by citizenship or occupation, but by compassion.
