SINGAPORE – A fire broke out at Hong Lim Market and Food Centre during lunch time on Jan 2.
In response to queries from The Straits Times, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it was alerted to the fire at 12.40pm. Four people were evacuated from the affected block.
“The fire involved the kitchen exhaust ducting on the second floor of the affected block,” said SCDF, adding that firefighters extinguished the fire using three water jets.
There were no reported injuries, SCDF said.
A photograph posted on Reddit by user Mnqy shows thick smoke billowing from the building in Upper Cross Street. In the caption, the user said the photo was taken at around 12.40pm.
The user also noted that “at least two people ran down the stairs” of the hawker centre with bowls of food in their hands.
Footage posted on Facebook by user Jess Woo at around 12.50pm shows a row of fire engines parked next to the building that is engulfed in thick smoke, while several people were seen standing outside the building.
Facebook user Jess Woo posted a footage of fire engines parked next to the building that is engulfed in thick smoke at around 12.50pm.
PHOTO: JESS WOO/FACEBOOK
When ST arrived at the two-storey hawker centre at 1.35pm, at least three fire engines were at the scene. Police cordon were placed around the main dining area on the second floor.
An employee at a prata stall opposite the hawker centre, who wanted to be known only as Mr Athi, 23, said he heard a commotion at the hawker centre at around 12.30pm.
