A five-figure sum has been raised for chemist Lim Siaw Chian, who died in a fire at Leeden National Oxygen on Monday.

The gas manufacturing company's chief executive Steven Tham told The Straits Times yesterday that the amount was raised through donations from the management and workers. He declined to reveal the exact figure.

The company has also chartered a bus to take its staff to Ms Lim's hometown in Senai, Johor, today and tomorrow, where her wake is being held. The 30-year-old leaves behind her husband and an infant daughter.

Mr Tham said the money raised "is on top of the compensation which we will be getting from the insurer". He added: "We are all sad that this has happened and we hope to help her family.

"We have also engaged professional counsellors to help affected workers."

The blaze at the company's premises at 21 Tanjong Kling Road also left seven workers injured.

One remains warded in the National University Hospital.

All seven and Ms Lim's family will be compensated by the insurer, noted Mr Tham.

The company will also claim insurance for the damage to its property.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Manpower Sam Tan visited Leeden National Oxygen yesterday to inspect the site.

He said: "It is a stark reminder that workplace safety is of paramount importance and must be a key priority. Safety standards are always being updated, so companies must keep reviewing their processes."

Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.

"At the end of the investigation, we must learn from this accident, take necessary precautions and work with the unions and industry groups to prevent such accidents in future," added Mr Tan.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said: "The company (has) set up technical committees to work with MOM on the investigation and tightening of safety processes, as well as inspected adjacent production facilities to ensure that they remain safe for workers."

The MOM also issued a stop- work order for the production and bottling of hydrocarbons, and the buying and selling of bottled gases stored near the lab where the fire broke out.

Mr Tham said: " It's better to ensure that everything is safe again before we start work there."