SINGAPORE \u2013 Five people were taken to hospital after a fire broke out at a coffee shop in Hougang in the early hours of May 5, disrupting power supply to some nearby businesses and services.<\/p>\n
In response to queries from The Straits Times, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it was alerted to the fire at Block 106 Hougang Avenue 1 at about 4.50am.<\/p>\n
\u201cSeveral stalls within the coffee shop were on fire\u201d, said SCDF, describing the scene upon its arrival. It added that the fire was extinguished with two water jets.<\/p>\n
About 40 people evacuated the premises before the SCDF arrived. Five people were taken to Singapore General Hospital after being assessed for smoke inhalation.<\/p>\n
Photos of the fire taken by Chinese-language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao show the interiors of the coffee shop covered in black soot, with tables and chairs blanketed in ashes and debris.<\/p>\n
The facades of 12 HDB flats across three levels above the coffee shop were also charred by the fire, the Chinese daily reported.<\/p>\n The facade of 12 HDB flats across three levels above the coffee shop were also charred by the fire, according to news reports.<\/p>\n PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Mr Lai Kai Xiang, a 39-year-old fitness trainer living nearby, told Lianhe Zaobao he heard that a stall assistant had been preparing food when the fire happened. He was not sure which stall the assistant was from.<\/p>\n A grocery store, a hair salon, a clinic and a hardware store at the HDB block were unable to operate, and ATMs at the block were out of service, because of power supply disruptions caused by the fire, the Chinese newspaper reported. <\/p>\n The cause of the fire is under investigation.<\/p>\n<\/picture><\/div>