A fire was reported at VivoCity shopping mall in Singapore on Dec 22, and passersby reported seeing thick smoke.
Fire in Singapore mall
According to The Straits Times, the incident involved the exhaust duct at Japanese restaurant, Shin Kushiya, on the second floor, and happened at around 11:35 am.
Witnesses reported extremely smoky conditions to the point that it felt hard to breathe. Many also felt a choking sensation and irritation to the throat.
The fire alarm and sprinklers got activated, and the SCDF was alerted. The fire was put out by the company's emergency response team before the SCDF reached the scene.
Thankfully, no injuries have been reported.
The mall has resumed working as normal, and a spokesperson for Mapletree Commercial Property Management said that the incident was an isolated one, "The incident has not affected the normal operations of the mall and the surrounding area has since reopened for public access."
Officials are investigating the cause of the fire.
Fire safety: What you can do
Most people who heard the alarm at first assumed it was a false alarm or a regular drill. And this is where things can go so wrong.
Here are some fire safety tips to remember and practise:
- If you are in an unfamiliar place, like say, the mall, spot and note the fire exits.
- Unless you are trapped, exit by the stairs. Do not use the lifts. The most effective way out is to lay low and move.
- If you are trapped in your house, move to a room with a window. Call 995 and let them know your situation.
Open the windows as widely as possible and shout for help. Do not attempt to jump. Do not throw anyone down. It is dangerous.
- Do not smoke inside the house, especially when you are going to sleep.
- At home, keep candles at a safe distance from the bed, carpet, and curtains. Extinguish them before sleeping.
- Switch off electrical appliances when not in use. Don’t forget to unplug the iron after use.
- Call an electrician instead of undertaking any electrical work on your own at home.
- Do not throw flammable things down the refuse chute.
- Keep flammables like matches, lighters, etc out of the reach of the children.
- Do not store more than one LPG cylinder in the kitchen. Check the tubing of the cooking gas for signs of wear and tear.
Also READ: Child dropped from 10th floor in horrifying London Tower fire
Source: (The Straits Times, Channel NewsAsia)