Marine Terrace coffeeshop goes up in flames

Marine Terrace coffeeshop goes up in flames

BY JUNE YANG AND ALVIN CHONG
PUBLISHED: MARCH 7, 11:31 AM UPDATED: MARCH 7, 1:00 PM(PAGE 1 OF 1)

SINGAPORE — A fire swept through a coffeeshop at Blk 59 Marine Terrace this morning (March 7), gutting it and causing residents in the flats above to be temporarily evacuated.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) received a call about the fire at 9.02am, and dispatched two fire bikes, two Red Rhinos, a fire engine and an ambulance to the scene.

When the SCDF arrived about ten minutes later the fire had spread to the sixth stall, and was subsequently extinguished with two water jets. SCDF and the police evacuated about 10 residents from the two floors above the coffeeshop.

Residents were later allowed to return to their flats after the fire had been extinguished. No casualties or injuries were reported, said the SCDF.

The fire had started at the fish noodle stall when someone had been frying fish, said stall worker Yin Sin Lin, 34.

Mr Yin, who works at the Rong Kee Roasted Delights food stall, said that the fire spread through the whole coffeshop within minutes.

Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, who is also Member of Parliament for the Marine Parade GRC, arrived at the site after the fire had been extinguished. He inspected the damage and spoke to some residents.

There was no damage to the flats above the coffeeshop, Mr Goh said.

A resident, who did not wish to be identified, recounted the events of the fire to Mr Goh. “I could see the fire, it was huge,” he said.

The resident, who claimed to have worked as a fire warden at his previous place of employment, told Mr Goh that between 8.50 and 9.15 am, there was only one fireman onsite, and the water hoses only started running at 9.30 am.

He also said that the coffeeshop did not have a fire extinguisher.

Ms Chu, who lives on the second floor and works as a helper at the Rong Kee food stall, said she was asleep when the fire broke out.

A colleague had called her to tell her something had happened downstairs.

“I didn’t smell anything. The windows in my bedroom were closed and the air-conditioning was on,” she said. “I knew the electricity was cut — when I was asleep I discovered that — but I thought it was just a black out, which happens often.

“When I came down there already was smoke in the living room. My house wasn’t really affected.”

Mr Chan, the owner of the 132 Mee Pok stall, said he did not know how long the coffeshop or his stall would be closed. “The coffeeshop should be insured ... but I’m not sure,” he said.

“Now everything is uncertain.”

Speaking to the media at the site, Mr Goh said that while it was a good thing no lives were lost, the concern now was for the stall holders. “I think the damage is fairly extensive, but more importantly it’s the loss of earnings for the stall holders.”

Although the property damage might be covered by insurance, Mr Goh said, the stall holders’ loss of earnings might not be. “That’s the part we are looking into, how we can help them, if they need help to find an alternative place to do some business for the family.”

Mr Goh added a reminder not to speculate on the causes of the fire, saying that a full investigation needed to be carried out by the fire department.

“They also have to investigate how did the fire spread so quickly so as to draw lessons for other establishments,” he said.


- wong chee tat :)