The brothers’ first, pretty run-down factory at what used to be called Kampong Bugis (today’s Kallang Basin area), just opposite where their current building stands today. The area had always been a fire ‘cos of many many illegal boat-repair businesses, wood dealers operating there. True enough, a huge fire broke out in 1975, engulfing 90% of the industrial estate. Second brother SL was in Orchard when he heard about the fire, and he rushed back to the area ASAP, but had to park at Jln Besar ‘cos the area was cordoned off due to the fire. He had to run all the way from there. And he ran up to the top floor of the nearby flatted factory to check the situation. All they had looked set to go up in flames, when, just ONE UNIT before the fire engulfed their unit, a huge dark cloud came, and a thunderstorm suddenly poured, putting out the fire. Their unit was spared. Up till this day, they believed it was a miracle of mercy from God. [Backstory: Pieces of my art for a book illustration project a couple years back... capturing the rags-to-riches story of a prominent family in the Events Management world today. They were too poor to own cameras so they never had any photos of their growing up years. A lot of research went into doing this series; a project I’m proud to have been a part of, cos of the history buff that I am, and my love for telling stories through my art. It was my most challenging illustration gig, but also the most satisfying. Cos a lot of research went into each piece, and I learned so much about how Singaporeans lived in that era.] #illustration #autobiography #artistsoninstagram #sgheritage #nhb #nationalheritageboard #nostalgic #nostagicart #historicalart #illustratorsoninstagram (at Kallang Basin) https://www.instagram.com/p/CJxzwAvHMpO/?igshid=1ahs7tdrrbfup
