Falling trees

Fallen tree branch damages two Yishun flats, showering one home owner in shattered glass​

On July 31, workers from Golden Landscaping were removing a tree next to Block 259, Yishun Street 22, when the incident happened.

Summary

• A tree branch slammed into an HDB flat on July 31 at around 9.30 am.
• A couple and their son were unharmed.
• MP Jackson Lam visited the family and said two flats were affected.

AI generated

Jul 31, 2025

SINGAPORE - While recovering from the flu, a man was resting on a couch in his living room when a tree branch smashed through the windows, showering him in glass.

Even though the sofa was next to the windows and glass landed on his face, the man, who wanted to be known only as Mr Irfan, was uninjured.

The incident happened on July 31 at around 9.30am, when workers from Golden Landscaping were removing a tree next to Block 259 Yishun Street 22.


Nee Soon GRC MP Jackson Lam said two units were damaged.

Mr Irfan, 43, a workplace safety and health trainer, and home owner of the affected unit on the second floor, said: “It was very loud, and it felt like the whole structure was going to collapse.”

His wife, who wanted to be known only as Madam Salfarina, 41, and who was working in the next room, was also not injured.

Madam Salfarina, an executive at a healthcare insurance company, said she heard a loud bang, and the home shook.

Mr Irfan said he temporarily could not hear after the impact.

He said: “I had to call my son to check my face (to see if I was bleeding).”


When The Straits Times arrived at 2pm, there were cracks on the living room walls, and the window grilles were bent out of shape.

The couple said they were grateful that their two younger children, aged eight and one, were not home when the incident happened.

Their eldest child, a 22-year-old son, was sleeping in his room at the time.

Mr Lam visited the family at around 2pm. He assured them the landscaping company would pay for the damage, and the town council would facilitate the process.


Mr Irfan said he temporarily could not hear after the impact.

He said in a statement that the tree had spot decay, weakening its structure.

The ongoing works to remove the tree aggravated its condition, leading to a tree branch falling and damaging two HDB units. No one was hurt.

He said the town council had been activated to clear the debris and assess the impact of the damage. Another team was working on removal of the tree for safety reasons.

Mr Lam said: “I spoke with the (Nee Soon) Town Council’s horticulture team, and understand that necessary safety precaution was taken before the removal of the tree.

“Notices were put up, the area was cordoned off, nearby structures were removed where needed, and visual checks were done before work began.”

He said the town council is helping the affected families.