About 100 people were evacuated after a fire broke out at Whampoa Makan Place on Friday (19 June) afternoon.
Footage shared by a Facebook user showed flames covering the exhaust ducting near the ceiling of the hawker centre.
Source: Trovithy Teo on Facebook
Another photo posted by Jalan Besar GRC MP Shawn Loh on Facebook depicted the fire having travelled up the ducting and onto the roof.
Source: Shawn Loh on Facebook
Despite the apparent urgency of the situation, people in the hawker centre remained calm, self-evacuating at a leisurely pace as smoke filled the air. A few men were seen unspooling a hose.
Source: Trovithy Teo on Facebook
One of them then directed water at the ducting in an effort to put out the fire.
Source: Trovithy Teo on Facebook
Outside, black smoke surrounded the hawker centre, which was filled with diners, according another photo posted on Facebook.
The user who shared the photo said she had just finished a late lunch when a fire broke out at one of the hawker stalls.
Source: Cheryl S M Fong on Facebook
From Mr Loh’s photos, it was observed that the fire had spread to the roof and was visible from outside.
Source: Shawn Loh on Facebook
A fire engine, fire truck and an ambulance were later spotted at the scene.
Source: Shawn Loh on Facebook
In response to queries from MS News, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SPF) said it was alerted to the fire at about 4.10pm on 19 June.
It involved the kitchen exhaust ducting of a stall on the ground floor of 90 Whampoa Drive — the address of Whampoa Makan Place.
The blaze was extinguished by SCDF with two water jets and a hosereel.
No injuries were reported, but about 100 people were evacuated from the affected premises by the police and SCDF as a precaution.
SCDF reminded the public, especially stall holders, to follow fire safety tips to prevent such fires.
These include keeping the stove, its surrounding area and exhaust duct openings free from grease and oil stains.
Exhaust ducts should also be cleaned and maintained at least once a year.
Source: Singapore Civil Defence Force
In his post, Mr Loh said Whampoa Makan Place will be temporarily closed to investigate the fire.
It will be reopened “only once everything is okay”, he added.
Source: Shawn Loh on Facebook
The town council will assess the damage over the next few days and undertake reinstatement works so that the market can reopen, he noted, adding:
I believe the National Environment Agency (NEA) will provide necessary assistance to affected stallholders.
Also read: Fire breaks out at Ang Mo Kio 628 Market dry goods stall, no one injured
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Featured image adapted from Trovithy Teo on Facebook and Cheryl S M Fong on Facebook.