EPISODE · Sep 28, 2025 · 27 MIN
Chronicles of Old Singapore | The Bukit Ho Swee Fire Part 1 – The Biggest Fire
from Chronicles of Old Singapore · host Loh Kah Seng
Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. Loh Kah Seng begins a new series on the 1961 fire at Bukit Ho Swee – the biggest in Singapore history and the place where he traces his roots. He relates the terror and chaos on that fateful day on 25 May 1961 as the inferno crossed two main roads and rendered 16,000 people homeless in a matter of hours. The fire was the topic of his PhD dissertation. In subsequent episodes, he will talk about what the fire meant to the people and how it changed Singapore forever.00:00 Introduction00:51 My Story in Bukit Ho Swee02:15 The Fire as a Milestone for Singapore06:30 A Typical Kampong 09:08 174-A Kampong Tiong Bahru 11:18 Battling the Fire & Fire-fighters14:14 Arc of Destruction18:03 In the Inferno’s Path 20:13 4 Dead22:26 The Fire Site24:27 Further Research25:54 OutroMy book, Squatters to Citizens: https://nuspress.nus.edu.sg/products/squatters-into-citizens I am Dr Loh Kah Seng, the people’s historian. In Chronicles of Old Singapore, I speak to people about their memories of Singapore before it became a global city. Do like the video and subscribe for future episodes. This will help the channel a lot.Write to [email protected] if you have any of these stories:• Old places or kampongs.• Communities – their way of life & culture.• Childhood & schools.• Work or business.YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@ChroniclesOldSG Spotify | https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/loh-ksFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/61551786759344/ Patreon | https://www.patreon.com/ChroniclesofOldSingapore
What this episode covers
Welcome to Chronicles of Old Singapore. Loh Kah Seng begins a new series on the 1961 fire at Bukit Ho Swee – the biggest in Singapore history and the place where he traces his roots. He relates the terror and chaos on that fateful day on 25 May 1961 as the inferno crossed two main roads and rendered 16,000 people homeless in a matter of hours. The fire was the topic of his PhD dissertation. In subsequent episodes, he will talk about what the fire meant to the people and how it changed Singapore forever.00:00 Introduction00:51 My Story in Bukit Ho Swee02:15 The Fire as a Milestone for Singapore06:30 A Typical Kampong 09:08 174-A Kampong Tiong Bahru 11:18 Battling the Fire & Fire-fighters14:14 Arc of Destruction18:03 In the Inferno’s Path 20:13 4 Dead22:26 The Fire Site24:27 Further Research25:54 OutroMy book, Squatters to Citizens: https://nuspress.nus.edu.sg/products/squatters-into-citizens I am Dr Loh Kah Seng, the people’s historian. In Chronicles of Old Singapore, I speak to people about their memories of Singapore before it became a global city. Do like the video and subscribe for future episodes. This will help the channel a lot.Write to [email protected] if you have any of these stories:• Old places or kampongs.• Communities – their way of life & culture.• Childhood & schools.• Work or business.YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@ChroniclesOldSG Spotify | https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/loh-ksFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/61551786759344/ Patreon | https://www.patreon.com/ChroniclesofOldSingapore
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Chronicles of Old Singapore | The Bukit Ho Swee Fire Part 1 – The Biggest Fire
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