Owners say they’re unsure how to move forward after fire guts Tampines eatery
An eatery selling Malay noodle dishes in Tampines has closed temporarily after just 4.5 months in business after a fire gutted the premises.
In a series of posts on Instagram, the two friends who founded Mee+ appeared uncertain of the future, with one of them saying he was “not sure we’ll be operating any more”.
Source: @meeplus.sg on Instagram
Tampines eatery in disarray after fire breaks out
On Thursday, one of the owners, Arrell, said in a video that Mee+ would be closed for the time being as it had burnt down.
The clips showed the premises in disarray, with shattered glass tables and decor strewn across the unit, and floors and walls blackened with soot.
Source: @meeplus.sg on Instagram
Its kitchen was also flooded with water from the firefighting operations.
Source: @meeplus.sg on Instagram
Fortunately, Arrell and his partner Sydi were not around when the fire broke out, he said.
Tampines eatery fire started from electrical distribution box
Arrell said the fire started from the eatery’s electrical distribution box, which “just exploded”.
The panel was revealed to be completely charred, with its wires and circuits left dangling from its scorched shell.
Source: @meeplus.sg on Instagram
Part of the wall behind was also left exposed.
Source: @meeplus.sg on Instagram
Owners unsure what to do next
Arrell said that they could move on by trying to rebuild whatever they had left.
But he added doubtfully that they “really don’t know” what they’re going to do from here.
Sydi, who appeared emotionally bereft, said they were trying their best to stay as calm as they could but also admitted that he was “not really sure” where to go from here.
Adding to the uncertainty, Arrell maintained:
Not sure we’ll be operating any more after this.
Source: @meeplus.sg on Instagram
Tampines eatery bids farewell to customers
Mee+ posted again on Friday (4 Sept), bidding goodbye to their customers “for now”.
They thanked all their customers who patronised them over the last 4.5 months, especially the regulars who they had built “genuine connections” with, adding:
We will definitely miss you guys.
Source: @meeplus.sg on Instagram
The comments were flooded with well-wishes and support, with many hoping that they would come back stronger and pledging to return once they do.
Tampines eatery opened in April
Mee+ opened in April this year, founded by Arrell, a former Singapore Airlines cabin crew, and Sydi, whose cooking is inspired by recipes handed down from his mother.
Source: @meeplus.sg on Instagram
Starting from scratch, it soon drew strong support from nearby residents who queued for its no-frills lontong, mee rebus, and nasi lemak.
Source: Google Maps
Another draw was its affordable prices, which started from just S$3.80.
Source: Google Maps
20 evacuated due to fire, 1 suffers from smoke inhalation
In response to queries from MS News, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it was alerted to the fire at about 8.20am on 3 Sept.
It involved an electrical distribution box in a ground-floor unit of Block 477 Tampines Street 43.
SCDF extinguished the blaze with a water jet, with about 20 people evacuated from the block as a precaution.
Source: @meeplus.sg on Instagram
One person from a neighbouring unit was assessed for shortness of breath, but they declined to be sent to the hospital.
No other injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, SCDF added.
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Featured image adapted from @meeplus.sg on Instagram and Instagram.
