Singapore School Fire Claims Life of Girl, Injures 20 Including Pawan Kalyan's Son
A tragic fire at a children’s enrichment centre in Singapore on Tuesday morning has left one 10-year-old girl dead and 20 others injured, including the younger son of Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and actor-politician Pawan Kalyan. The fire broke out in a three-storey shophouse on River Valley Road that housed several educational and extracurricular activity centres for children, triggering panic and heroic rescue efforts by construction workers and emergency personnel.
Among the 20 people injured were 16 children aged between six and ten, and six adults between the ages of 23 and 55. The incident saw horrifying scenes as children were trapped on the upper floors with smoke and flames engulfing parts of the building. Videos circulating online showed children sitting precariously on a third-storey ledge, black smoke billowing behind them as rescuers tried desperately to get them to safety.
Pawan Kalyan’s seven-year-old son, Mark Shankar, was among those rescued. According to a statement from the Jana Sena Party released in Vijayawada, Mark suffered burns on his hands and legs, and smoke inhalation affected his lungs. He is currently receiving treatment at a Singapore hospital. The party also confirmed that Kalyan would travel to Singapore after completing his prior commitments to be with his son.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) received an alert around 9:45 am and responded promptly. Firefighters extinguished the blaze within 30 minutes using three water jets. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, though authorities have ruled out foul play based on preliminary assessments. Police investigations are still ongoing.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and bravery. Shaik Amirudin, a personal trainer present at the site, shared harrowing details of unconscious children with their eyes rolled back and covered in burns being pulled from the flames. As emergency responders arrived, construction workers from a nearby site leapt into action, forming a human chain and using scaffolding to bring down children who had climbed onto the ledge to escape the flames.
One of the heroic rescuers was Subramanian Saranraj, an Indian-origin lorry driver, who said he felt an overwhelming sense of fear—not for himself, but for the helpless children trapped inside. He and his colleagues used the scaffolding and ladders from their construction site to reach the third floor and help evacuate the young victims.
About 80 people, including those in surrounding premises, were evacuated. The SCDF reported that 20 people were taken to nearby hospitals. The last person to be rescued—believed to be a teacher—was seen sobbing as she was carried out on a stretcher.
Parents rushed to the site as news spread, some breaking down in tears as they searched for information about their children’s safety. The police cordoned off the area and guided affected families to a secure location for assistance and identification.
The shophouse housed various learning centres, including a cooking school, a theatre group, and a robotics centre. Newtonshow, the enrichment centre where the fire reportedly began, is owned by Orange Mood Group. Staff from Newtonshow gathered at a nearby cafe but declined to speak to the media. Authorities have yet to release an official cause, and safety measures at the facility are under review.
This tragedy has once again brought into focus the importance of rigorous fire safety protocols, particularly in educational institutions catering to young children. The incident has triggered an outpouring of grief and concern both in Singapore and India, especially given the high-profile involvement of Pawan Kalyan’s son.
Leaders across political parties in India have expressed solidarity and sent their prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured, especially young Mark. Andhra Pradesh’s Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy conveyed his concern and said he was in touch with relevant authorities to ensure the best medical care for all affected.
As the families of the injured children struggle to cope with the trauma, the Singaporean authorities are being urged to conduct a thorough investigation and hold those responsible accountable, if lapses in safety measures are found. Meanwhile, counselling and trauma support are being arranged for survivors and their families.
This horrific fire serves as a painful reminder of how quickly disaster can strike, especially in environments where young lives are involved. The world watches with hope as the injured, including Pawan Kalyan’s son, recover—and with sorrow for the family of the girl whose life was tragically cut short.