The Editor’s Beat: The Silver Lining in the Smoke

The Lunar New Year is traditionally a time of heat—the roar of the lion dance drums, the glow of red lanterns, and for those in the food trade, the intense, unrelenting sizzle of the grill. But the heat has also intensified for our friends at the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) over the past week.

On the afternoon of Feb 15, just days before the peak of the festivities, a fire broke out at Century Bakkwa, a shop at Dunlop Street, Little India.

With 500kg of charcoal on-site, the situation was a nightmare for any business owner. Yet, as the smoke cleared and the SCDF did their work, an unexpected narrative began to emerge.

In the wake of the blaze, the shop’s founder, Ms Simbian Chua, found what she called a “silver lining.”

It wasn’t in the ledgers or the saved stock, but in the sudden influx of messages from friends and acquaintances who hadn’t “touched base” in years.

In a city often criticised for its fast pace and transactional nature, the fire acted as a strange catalyst for community. Kitchens were offered, hands were extended, and the isolation of entrepreneurship was momentarily broken by a genuine human connection.

Perhaps the most poignant reflection was Ms Chua’s realisation about the “reunion” aspect of the season. For the past five years, the demand for bakkwa has kept her tethered to the grill, working through the very moments most Singaporeans spend with family.

By being forced to take a step back from the smoke, she finally experienced the quiet, reflective side of Chinese New Year—the part that isn’t about the hustle, but about being present.

Her story wasn’t an isolated incident in a busy week for our firefighters. From the 150 residents evacuated at Teban Gardens to the late-night rescues at Kovan Regency and the blaze at Smith Street in Chinatown, it has been a week that reminded us of the fragility of our daily lives. More recently, there was also a fire incident involving the ‘Khana Basmati’ at Rowell Road on the afternoon of Feb 19.

As we move past the peak of the festivities, Ms Chua’s perspective is a lesson to us all. Sometimes, it takes a literal fire to make us stop and realise what—and who—really matters.

We urge everyone to remain vigilant and stay safe in their homes and workplaces. Beyond physical safety, do take a pause where possible to recharge your own spirits before the next “grill” begins.

Finally, as we transition from one significant season to the next, we would like to wish all our Muslim friends a peaceful and blessed start to the fasting month of Ramadan. May this month of reflection bring you and your families much strength and community spirit.