SINGAPORE, Sept. 21 -- A family of three who died in a Hougang flat fire last year had repeatedly refused help from the Housing Board to address severe hoarding in their unit, a coroner's inquiry heard.

The Straits Times reported State Coroner Adam Nakhoda delivered his findings on September 20, concluding that the blaze - which killed a 48-year-old man, his 51-year-old wife and their 18-year-old daughter - was most likely caused by an electrical fault made deadlier by the "extensive clutter" packed into the rental flat.

The inquiry heard that HDB officers had visited the family several times between 2017 and 2023 after neighbours complained about foul smells, pests and items spilling into common corridors. Despite repeated offers of as...