On July 29, 2025, a fire broke out in a 10th-floor unit at Block 229 Lorong 8 Toa Payoh, spreading quickly to the unit above and sending shockwaves through the quiet residential neighborhood.

Seven people, including a child and a firefighter, were hospitalized. Dozens more were evacuated as smoke engulfed the building. 

For one family, the fire consumed nearly everything they owned — and for others, the long path to recovery is only just beginning.

So what happened? And what kind of insurance coverage applies in a situation like this?

On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with David Sun, Crime Correspondent, The Straits Times and Chun Wei Oh, Director of Avallis Financial, to find out more. 

On July 29, 2025, a fire broke out in a 10th-floor unit at Block 229 Lorong 8 Toa Payoh, spreading quickly to the unit above and sending shockwaves through the quiet residential neighborhood. Seven people, including a child and a firefighter, were hospitalized.&nbsp;Dozens more were evacuated as smoke engulfed the building.&nbsp;
For one family, the fire consumed nearly everything they owned &mdash; and for others, the long path to recovery is only just beginning.
So what happened? And what kind of insurance coverage applies in a situation like this?
On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with David Sun, Crime Correspondent, The Straits Times and Chun Wei Oh, Director of Avallis Financial, to find out more.&nbsp;

Money Matters is your guide to navigating the day's most important topics, from politics and current affairs to wealth management and trending issues. Every evening, the team delivers insightful discussions on business news, market movements, and the latest in alternative assets. Whether navigating the political landscape, understanding the economy, or uncovering emerging investment opportunities, Money Matters keeps you informed and ahead of the curve. Tune in daily to Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian from 4 pm to 7 pm on MONEY FM 89.3.

Money Matters is your guide to navigating the day's most important topics, from politics and current affairs to wealth management and trending issues. Every evening, the team delivers insightful discussions on business news, market movements, and the latest in alternative assets. Whether navigating the political landscape, understanding the economy, or uncovering emerging investment opportunities, Money Matters keeps you informed and ahead of the curve. Tune in daily to Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian from 4 pm to 7 pm on MONEY FM 89.3.

Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore’s first and only Business and Personal Finance station. MONEY FM is a 24-hour English talk format station featuring local and international business and financial news. We provide you with financial market and currency updates and insights from analysts, economists, policy makers, industry experts and business owners.

In the lighter hours, listen to discussions on social issues and features on topics that include health, education, arts and music.

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore&rsquo;s first and only Business and Personal Finance station. MONEY FM is a 24-hour English talk format station featuring local and international business and financial news. We provide you with financial market and currency updates and insights from analysts, economists, policy makers, industry experts and business owners.
In the lighter hours, listen to discussions on social issues and features on topics that include health, education, arts and music.

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore’s first and only Business and Personal Finance station.

MONEY FM 89.3

Your evening guide to the day's most important topics — navigate the key events in politics, business, markets, wealth management, and top investment opportunities. Keeps you informed and ahead of the curve, daily.

Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian (4pm - 7pm)

The Big Story: A look at the Toa Payoh flat fire - What caused it? And does insurance cover the damages?

Iran has named Mojtaba Khamenei as its new supreme leader after the killing of his father, Ali Khamenei, in a US-Israeli strike — a move that could reshape the country’s political future and its relations with Washington.

The appointment comes despite strong opposition from Donald Trump, who had previously said the younger Khamenei would be “unacceptable” as Iran’s next leader and suggested the United States should have a say in the succession.

So who exactly is Mojtaba Khamenei? And with Washington openly opposed to his leadership, could his appointment push tensions between Iran and the US to an even more dangerous level?

On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with DrJames M. Dorsey, Adjunct Senior Fellow at S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University, to find out more.

Iran has named Mojtaba Khamenei as its new supreme leader after the killing of his father, Ali Khamenei, in a US-Israeli strike &mdash; a move that could reshape the country&rsquo;s political future and its relations with Washington.
The appointment comes despite strong opposition from Donald Trump, who had previously said the younger Khamenei would be &ldquo;unacceptable&rdquo; as Iran&rsquo;s next leader and suggested the United States should have a say in the succession.
So who exactly is Mojtaba Khamenei? And with Washington openly opposed to his leadership, could his appointment push tensions between Iran and the US to an even more dangerous level?
On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Dr James M. Dorsey, Adjunct Senior Fellow at S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University, to find out more.

The Big Story: Who is Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s new Supreme Leader and how might his rule change the US‑Iran war?

Gold and silver are shedding their image as old-school safe havens and emerging as the new entry point for a younger generation of investors.

According to a report by OCBC Bank, two in three first-time retail investors in 2025 chose precious metals over traditional options like equities and funds, a sharp shift in how people are starting their investment journeys. With investors under 40 now making up half of all precious metals customers, the fastest growth is coming from those in their 20s, drawn by accessibility, affordability and a sense of stability.

But as gold and silver become more mainstream through digital and fractional investing, the bigger question is whether this signals a long-term change in wealth-building behaviour, or a more cautious response to an uncertain global environment.

On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Germaine Tan, Head of Treasury Products and Equities, OCBC, to find out more.

Gold and silver are shedding their image as old-school safe havens and emerging as the new entry point for a younger generation of investors.
According to a report by OCBC Bank, two in three first-time retail investors in 2025 chose precious metals over traditional options like equities and funds, a sharp shift in how people are starting their investment journeys. With investors under 40 now making up half of all precious metals customers, the fastest growth is coming from those in their 20s, drawn by accessibility, affordability and a sense of stability.
But as gold and silver become more mainstream through digital and fractional investing, the bigger question is whether this signals a long-term change in wealth-building behaviour, or a more cautious response to an uncertain global environment.
On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Germaine Tan, Head of Treasury Products and Equities, OCBC, to find out more.

Wealth Tracker: Why gold & silver are the new first investment for Gen Z and Millennials

A TikTok-viral baker says living with his parents lets him save, invest… and splurge on designer bags. But is it savvy financial planning or a little too comfortable?

On What's Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Nadiah Koh dive into the growing debate around adult children living at home — what they should contribute, and whether independence is being delayed.

Then, as global tensions threaten oil supply and petrol prices in Singapore surge past $3 per litre, we look at the everyday energy habits that cause the biggest household fights. From lights left on to air-con overuse, are these small habits costing you more than you think?

A TikTok-viral baker says living with his parents lets him save, invest&hellip; and splurge on designer bags. But is it savvy financial planning or a little too comfortable?
On What's Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Nadiah Koh dive into the growing debate around adult children living at home &mdash; what they should contribute, and whether independence is being delayed.
Then, as global tensions threaten oil supply and petrol prices in Singapore surge past $3 per litre, we look at the everyday energy habits that cause the biggest household fights.&nbsp;From lights left on to air-con overuse, are these small habits costing you more than you think?

The Big Story: A look at the Toa Payoh flat fire - What caused it? And does insurance cover the damages?

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