Woman gets jail for setting fire to Sembawang flat, had believed she was trapped in ex-boyfriend's house

A woman who set fire to papers in a Sembawang HDB flat after believing she was trapped inside has been sentenced to five months' jail on Wednesday (Sept 9).

Jasmine Helena Halim, 46, admitted to one charge of intentionally setting fire to the unit.

The fire broke out at around 5.15pm on June 30 at a 10th-floor unit at Block 512 Wellington Circle.

Helena had broken up with her boyfriend on the day of the fire and, at around 5pm, became convinced that he had trapped her inside her home, reported Shin Min Daily News.

She reportedly told an investigation officer that that she had been locked inside the unit for weeks without food, although she had not sought help from anyone during that time, Shin Min reported.

She then used a lighter to set fire to six pieces of paper and threw them into the bedroom in an alleged attempt to create an "escape route", causing the flames to quickly spread and damage her home and the windows of a neighbouring unit.

SCDF officers later extinguished the blaze and evacuated about 30 residents,

@asiaone Prosecutors said the fire, which broke out at a 10th-floor unit at Block 512 Wellington Circle in June, caused more than $10,000 in repair costs. Jasmine Helena Halim has yet to pay compensation for the damage, with the prosecution noting that the incident caused widespread public alarm and inconvenience #sgnews #Singapore #Court #Crime #fireforce #HDB ♬ original sound - AsiaOne

Arrested on day of fire

Helena, who is a known patient of the Institute of Mental Health, was arrested on the day of the fire and has been on remand since.

The prosecution noted that she had previous convictions for theft and property-related offences, but no previous convictions for arson.

It said the latest offence resulted in more than $10,000 in repair costs, with Helena yet to make any compensation, and caused public alarm and inconvenience.

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