Fire breaks out in Chinatown HDB shop unit; 2 taken to hospital, 40 evacuated
A fire broke out in a ground floor commercial unit at Block 34 Upper Cross Street on Wednesday (Nov 11) afternoon.
PHOTO: Social media
PUBLISHED ONUPDATEDBYSean LerAbout 40 people were evacuated from a Housing and Development Board (HDB) block in Chinatown after a fire broke out in a ground floor commercial unit on Wednesday (Nov 11) afternoon.
The incident happened at about 12.50pm at Block 34 Upper Cross Street, opposite the State Courts.
Videos posted by eyewitnesses show thick grey smoke billowing out from a ground floor shop selling medicinal goods.
At least one Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) light fire attack vehicle, an ambulance, three fire engines and three police fast response cars were present at the scene.
In response to AsiaOne's queries, SCDF said the fire involved contents in the storage area of the affected commercial unit.
It added that firefighters conducted forcible entry and put out the fire using a water jet.
During firefighting operations, about 40 people from the block were evacuated by police officers as a precautionary measure.
Two persons were assessed for smoke inhalation and later taken to Singapore General Hospital.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
In 2025, there were 999 cases of fires at commercial, industrial and other premises, as compared to the 1,022 cases in 2024.
All businesses are mandated to comply with the Fire Safety Act.
SCDF inspections are scheduled to ensure compliance with the stipulated fire safety requirements.
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