100 evacuated from Orchard Gateway mall after fire breaks out in basement waste-collection area
About 100 people were evacuated from Orchard Gateway mall in Somerset on Monday (9 Nov) afternoon after a fire broke out at a waste-collection area in its basement.
Several TikTokers shared videos of the incident, with some of them showing smoke coming out from the premises.
Source: @the.irta on TikTok
Smoke seen coming from Orchard Gateway
According to the clips, the smoke appeared to come from the roof of a shelter near the carpark entrance.
Source: @rolliepolliexoxo on TikTok
However, no flames were seen and smoke was not observed coming from elsewhere.
Source: @gang83492 on TikTok
The smoke eventually wafted into the air.
Source: @gang83492 on TikTok
Fire prompts large police & SCDF presence
The fire prompted a response from the police and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).
Source: @weiichengii on TikTok
Several police cars and fire trucks were spotted.
Source: @the.irta on TikTok
Besides many SCDF fire & rescue response trucks, Red Rhinos had also arrived, according to an Instagram post.
Source: @cutiepom1 on Instagram
A large group of firefighters were seen assembling at the mall’s driveway.
Source: @cutiepom1 on Instagram
A loud fire alarm was blaring and an announcement was heard over the mall’s intercom.
Source: @cutiepom1 on Instagram
No injuries reported in Orchard Gateway fire
In response to queries from MS News, the SCDF said it was alerted to the fire at about 5.40pm on 9 Nov.
It involved electrical equipment in an equipment room at basement two of 277 Orchard Road — the address of Orchard Gateway.
SCDF put out the fire with a compressed air foam backpack and fire extinguishers.
As a precaution, about 100 people were evacuated by the police, but there were no injuries reported.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Fire broke out at waste collection area
When Shin Min Daily News reporters reached the mall, the fire had been extinguished, but a “burnt” smell lingered in the air.
A restaurant employee told them that the fire had broken out at a waste-collection area and the smell was from charred items that had yet to be cleared.
The mall management thus advised tenants to wear face masks when disposing of trash at the waste collection area.
Shoppers, diners & staff evacuated due to fire
Other mall tenants told the Chinese daily that this was the first time they had encountered a fire in the mall.
It caused shoppers and staff from basement two to be evacuated to the ground floor, where a large crowd had gathered.
There were about a dozen diners at a Western restaurant in basement two when their meals were interrupted.
They ended up waiting about 1.5 hours to return as the entire level was closed until about 7pm.
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Featured image adapted from @gang83492 on TikTok and @cutiepom1 on Instagram.
