AS FLAMES engulfed a fourth-storey maisonette in Balestier, a panic-stricken maid trapped within screamed for help while neighbours tried to free her in vain.

Firemen from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) arrived within minutes of a call about the 1am blaze on Sunday, and cut the front gate to free the Filipino maid.

Neighbours had tried throwing buckets of water at the blazing unit in Jalan Rajah. One used a hammer but could not free her.

A neighbour who wanted to be known only as Mr Lim had heard shouting at the unit at about 1am. 'I thought there was a fight but I then saw smoke billowing out,' said the 54-year-old engineer.

He saw that the maid, who was alone, was at the gate and screaming for help amid the flames. 'She was in panic and was perched on a cabinet near the entrance to avoid debris falling around her.'

The maid, and another woman from the unit directly above, were sent to Singapore General Hospital due to smoke inhalation.

Read the full story in tomorrow's edition of The Sunday Times.