On Thursday (26 Jan) afternoon, the kitchen exhaust duct of a kopitiam along Sembawang Drive caught fire, sending thick puffs of smoke billowing into the skies.
Source: Facebook
Two individuals reportedly sustained minor injuries in the incident but refused conveyance to the hospital.
Videos circulating on social media show the roof portion of the kopitiam on fire.
A crowd had gathered at the adjacent block, gazing at the fire as a loud siren rang in the background.
Another video, taken from a different angle, showed thick smoke billowing from the kopitiam, as well as from the multi-storey carpark behind it.
Source: TikTok
A Facebook user also shared footage taken from a distance away, showing the extent of the ‘foggy’ appearance.
Source: Facebook
The video later shows two fire engines turning into the carpark near the kopitiam.
In response to MS News’ queries, a Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) spokesperson said that the fire occurred at Block 313A Sembawang Drive at about 3.35pm on Thursday (26 Jan).
The blaze apparently involved the kitchen exhaust ducting of the coffee shop.
Upon arriving at the scene, SCDF officers extinguished the fire using three water jets.
30 individuals had self-evacuated before the officers’ arrival.
Meanwhile, the SCDF assessed two individuals — one for smoke inhalation and the other for minor injuries. It’s unclear what injuries the latter sustained.
Both individuals, however, refused conveyance to the hospital.
Preliminary investigations found that the fire started from the stove area of one of the kopitiam stalls.
Despite the seemingly large blaze that ensued, we’re glad that there were no serious casualties. We hope that the kopitiam vendors will be able to recoup their losses from the incident and that business can return to normal soon.
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Featured image adapted from Facebook and 8world News on Facebook.
The authorities have investigated and closed the incident with no follow-ups required, MFA said.
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