Composition Review Prelim 2008

Light filtered through the window, shining on my face. Birds chirped to welcome the bright new day. A silence so fragile settled down once the birds flew away. And yet, even the nicest things come to an end as the shrill alarm clock sounded, breaking the peaceful start of Saturday.

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My eyes shot open upon hearing my alarm clock. Sitting on my bed, I took my soft toy and threw it at the alarm clock. It came crashing down noisily. Yet another alarm clock broken! I trudged down the stairs with a frown. I never was a morning person and never will be. My workaholic parents were, as usual, at work. As I ate the breakfast that my mother had prepared, I sniffed a slight scent of gas. Instincts told me that the smell of gas could actually be a harbinger of an explosion.

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As I remembered my mother's instructions on what to do should I smell gas, I hastily opened all the windows in the kitchen as wide as possible. All of a sudden, cacophony rose from my neighbour's house. Curious, I peeped out of the window, only to see a terrifying sight. Smoke was billowing out of the house's windows and flames engulfed the house.

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Fear gripped me like a vine. The smell of burning wood hung in the air. The large blaze hypnotised me. I fell into a trance-like state before screams of horror snapped me out of it.

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Rushing to my cellular phone, I dialled the Singapore Civil Defence Force's number. Giving them all the details needed, I rushed out of my flat with the fear of having my house burnt down too. In just a few short minutes, the fire brigade, paramedics and police came. I calmed myself down as the firemen doused the inferno. Some of the firemen jumped into the flames and saved the trapped victims.

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My neighbours were admitted to the Singapore General Hospital with second-degree burns. Apparently, there was a gas leakage and the gas canister blew up. My neighbours recovered soon enough and were grateful towards me even though their house was in ashes.

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I realised later that even if a child is alone at home, he or she can do many things - even save lives!