Hawker centre fire — no injuries
A small fire at Bukit Merah View Hawker Centre damaged only a kitchen exhaust duct and caused no injuries, but operators will likely face temporary disruption (straitstimes.com). For context on costs, typical hawker meals and pasar malam dinners in Singapore still run about $5–$10 per person, keeping these venues central to local food life (turtleinvestor.net).
SCDF said it was alerted at about 10:50am to 115 Bukit Merah View and put the fire out using a compressed-air foam backpack and a hose reel. (straitstimes.com) The blaze involved the hawker centre’s kitchen exhaust duct; videos posted on social media showed bright orange flames and debris falling, and bystanders attempting to fight the fire with portable extinguishers. (straitstimes.com) Block 115 houses Bukit Merah View Market & Hawker Centre, a large neighbourhood complex built in 1973 that contains roughly 84 cooked‑food stalls and about 167 market stalls, increasing the number of tenants potentially affected. (eatshopplay.sg) For HDB‑owned centres like this one, quarterly spring cleaning and Repairs & Redecoration work are coordinated by the respective town council rather than directly by NEA. (nea.gov.sg) Singapore’s fire‑safety guidance requires the entire kitchen exhaust duct and hood to be degreased and cleaned at least once every 12 months, and Parliament has recently been asked about proposals to tighten that to twice a year for heavy‑cooking stalls. (sfa.gov.sg) SCDF’s fire‑safety Code of Practice links exhaust maintenance to inspection outcomes, and operators who fail inspections can face enforcement actions including fines or temporary closure under licensing rules. (scdf.gov.sg) SCDF said the cause is under investigation and reiterated advice that stallholders should keep stoves, surrounding areas and exhaust‑duct openings clean to prevent grease buildup that can ignite. (8world.com)
