Hero Domestic Helper Saved Two Elderly Lives | Fire At Telok Blangah Heights | Singapore

A Story That Captured Singapore: Courage, Caregiving, and the True Value of a Dedicated Maid

On 29 November 2025, at around 11:10am, a sudden fire broke out at the Level 1 coffee shop of Blk 61 Telok Blangah Heights. Just a few floors above the flames, lives the Koh family with two wheelchair-bound elderly aged 89 and 85. The elderly persons lives were entrusted to their live-in domestic helper, Ms. Nesa Verina, a dedicated maid proudly deployed by Best Home Employment Agency, one of Singapore’s leading maid agencies specialising in eldercare maids and long-term caregiver support.

What unfolded that morning was nothing short of extraordinary. It was a moment that revealed the true strength, resilience, and instincts of an exceptional helper, and it has since become a powerful reminder of the importance of well-trained, responsible, and compassionate domestic helpers in Singapore households.

This is a story of bravery—and also a story of humanity.

Smoke, Panic, and a Split-Second Decision That Saved Lives

As the fire raged on the ground level, thick white smoke surged rapidly throughout the building, rising into the upper floors with frightening speed. Nesa immediately called the younger family members to alert them of the danger.

When the family reviewed the home CCTV footage, they saw something shocking: the entire living room had turned pure white with smoke. Nesa and the elderly were no longer visible. Neighbours were already rushing out into the corridor, shouting warnings and fleeing for safety.

But Nesa was alone inside the unit with two immobile seniors.

In that moment, she realised something important: help would not reach them in time. She needed to act—and she needed to act fast.

With remarkable composure, she wet several towels, covered the elderly to reduce smoke inhalation, and pushed both wheelchairs through the smoke-filled corridor toward the common area outside. But upon reaching the landing, she faced a harsh truth:

She could not push two wheelchairs down four floors of stairs through heavy smoke.

So she did something completely unexpected—something later described as ingenious.

She removed her shoe and threw it off the landing toward the fire engine below, hoping the noise would draw attention.

It worked.

Firefighters noticed the signal, raced up the stairs, and carried both elderly safely to the ground floor. Thanks to Nesa’s quick thinking, both lives were saved.

A Journey That Started Long Before the Fire: Who Says Transfer Helpers Are Not Good?

While Singapore now remembers Nesa as a hero, her story in this country began quietly in 2016, with experiences that many domestic helpers face but few talk about.

Her early years were marked by frequent employer changes between 2016 and 2018. On paper, this is often viewed negatively by employers searching for dependable transfer maids in Singapore. Some see multiple transfers as a warning sign.

But Nesa’s story proves an important truth:

Sometimes a helper with many job changes simply has not met the right family yet.

In 2018, she finally found an employer who trusted her with elderly caregiving responsibilities. That family became her anchor. She stayed with them for six years, serving loyally through the entire COVID-19 pandemic. She did not return home throughout the border restrictions—not because she could not, but because she chose to stay and support her employer.

Her loyalty and resilience revealed the kind of person she truly was.

After returning home briefly for a much-deserved break, she eventually joined the Koh family, where she cared for two wheelchair-bound seniors with patience and commitment. On 29 November 2025, she demonstrated a level of courage few people ever have to summon.

Age Is Not a Weakness: Why Senior Helpers Often Excel in Eldercare

Nesa is 48 years old. On the day of the fire, her maturity and steady judgment saved two lives.

This incident reinforces something that experienced maid agencies in Singapore often tell employers:

Senior helpers tend to have greater patience, emotional stability, and caregiving intuition—especially for elderly care.

In emergency situations, these qualities matter far more than physical strength alone. Many families searching for eldercare maids overlook older helpers, assuming they may be slower or less capable. But real-life situations like this prove the opposite.

A helper’s strength lies not only in the body but in the mind, experience, and heart.

When an Agency Supports Both Employer and Helper, Everyone Wins

At Best Home Employment Agency, we believe that a helper should never stand alone during an emergency or crisis. When we received news of the fire:

• We immediately mobilised our part-time cleaning team to assist the family.

• Our Director Mr Tay personally visited the Koh family to check on the elderly, provide emotional support to Nesa, and deliver recognition awards.

• We assured the family that we are ready to assist if they wish to hire an additional helper due to the heavy caregiving needs.

During the visit, both elderly held Nesa’s hands tightly and said:

“We are alive because of her.”

In a world where domestic helpers often face misunderstanding, this simple acknowledgment meant everything.

To celebrate her bravery, we presented Nesa with:

• A Letter of Commendation

• The Best Home Exemplary Gold Coin Award

• A SG60 Merlion Commemorative Coin

• A framed newspaper cutting documenting the incident

These tokens are small compared to the magnitude of her actions, but they serve as lasting reminders of her courage and the lives she saved.

Gratitude to the Community: A Joint Effort in Recovery

We also extend our appreciation to Tanjong Pagar Town Council. Their team responded swiftly to clean the surroundings and common areas. When we visited the site, we saw that the exterior compound had already been thoroughly cleared, helping residents feel safe and calm following the incident.

Community effort, combined with individual bravery, allowed the estate to recover quickly after the fire.

What This Incident Teaches Singapore About Helpers, Caregiving, and Trust

This real-life emergency highlights several important lessons for families, employers, and the domestic helper industry in Singapore:

1. A helper’s past record does not define her future ability

Multiple transfers do not automatically mean a helper is unsuitable. Some helpers simply need time to find the right environment, employer, and job scope.

2. Older helpers can be some of the best caregivers for elderly parents

Their maturity, patience, and emotional resilience provide stability—qualities that matter especially during emergencies or medical situations.

3. Helpers who return repeatedly to work in Singapore deserve recognition

They leave their own families behind, often for years at a time, to support Singapore households. Their sacrifices should be respected, not overlooked.

4. Employers should choose maid agencies that provide genuine, long-term support

Real support goes beyond paperwork—it includes crisis assistance, post-placement follow-up, and emotional care for both helper and employer.

5. A domestic helper is more than a worker—she is a caregiver, protector, and partner in the household

On 29 November, Nesa was not just a helper. She was the difference between life and death.

Best Home Employment Agency Salutes Ms Nesa: Celebrating Courage, Compassion, and Commitment

At Best Home Employment Agency, we are tremendously proud of Nesa and deeply grateful for her actions. Her story is a reminder of the extraordinary things ordinary people can do when faced with impossible situations.

It is also a call for all of us—employers, families, agencies, and the wider community—to see domestic helpers not just as employees, but as valued partners who contribute to the safety and well-being of our homes.

Nesa Verina is one of them.

And she is one of ours.

Why More And More Families Choose Best Home Employment Agency

As one of Singapore’s longest-established and most reputable maid agencies, Best Home has spent over 30 years serving families with integrity, compassion, and professional guidance. We specialise in:

• Recruiting The Best Myanmar, Indonesian, and Filipino maids

• Highly trained eldercare maids and caregivers

• Transfer maids with proven track records

• Helpers skilled in infant care, child care, and special needs

• Reliable replacement, retraining, and post-deployment support

• Additional part-time maid service

Families trust us because we:

• Provide honest, transparent matching

• Prioritise helper welfare and employer satisfaction

• Offer one of the strongest after-sales support systems in Singapore

• Work closely with community partners, trainers, and overseas agencies

• Respond quickly during emergencies and crises

The story of Nesa is not just a testament to her courage—it is a reflection of Best Home’s commitment to placing dedicated helpers in families that truly need them.

If you are looking for a dependable helper, a trained caregiver for elderly parents, or a trustworthy maid agency with a proven track record, Best Home is here to support you every step of the way.

Your family deserves the best, and at Best Home, we make it our mission to deliver that—every day.