SINGAPORE — When a fire broke out at her next door neighbour’s flat in Jurong West late at night on National Day, Madam Lim Ee Chin sprang into action, bringing buckets of water from her unit to help put out the flames.

For her bravery, the 81-year-old was awarded the Singapore Civil Defence Force’s (SCDF) Community First Responder Award, which recognises members of the public who have stepped forward to offer assistance to others in distress or to save property.

The fire broke out at 11.20pm that night at a corner unit at Block 917 Jurong West Street 91.

“While many might have instinctively ran away, the elderly Mdm Lim, who lives right next to the burning unit sprang into action,” said the SCDF in a Facebook post on Thursday (Sept 10).

“She brought buckets of water from her house and passed them to two of her neighbours to put out the fire.”

The three of them worked together until the fire was brought under control.

“I was scared… because the fire was raging,” said Mdm Lim in a video accompanying the SCDF’s post.

Mr Ang Wei Neng, the Member of Parliament for West Coast Group Representation Constituency, presented the award to Mdm Lim at her home.

“Despite her age, she did not hesitate to help to put out the fire. Her selfless act has assisted to mitigate the damages and injuries caused by the fire... I am delighted to present Mdm Lim the SCDF’s Community First Responder Award,” he said.

In the video, Mdm Lim said in Mandarin that she was happy to have received the award and even showed it to her neighbours who teased her for “showing off”.

SCDF commended Mdm Lim for her actions which exemplified “bravery and in her own words, the kampong spirit”.

“We hope you have been inspired by her as much as we do,” SCDF said.