SINGAPORE: Fire safety breaches were found at the River Valley shophouse that caught fire on Tuesday (8 April), the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said in a statement.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday (9 April), SCDF stated that preliminary investigations suggest the fire likely originated from a storage area on the second floor of the three-storey building.
Investigators also discovered fire safety non-compliances at the premises, including unauthorised works involving the erection of partitions.
The building, located at 278 River Valley Road, houses the children’s enrichment centre Newtonshow Camp.
Signs outside the shophouse indicate the presence of several other brands listed on Newtonshow’s website, including Tomato Cooking School, theatre school Drama Llama, and coding school Maker.
According to the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), only the first floor of the building is approved for use as a children’s enrichment centre.
The second and third floors, along with the attic, are designated for residential use.
Both SCDF and URA said investigations into the incident are ongoing.
SCDF warned that fire safety breaches pose serious risks to lives and property, stating that “the responsible entity may face a fine of up to S$200,000, imprisonment of up to 24 months, or both”.
The blaze, which broke out on Tuesday morning, resulted in 22 people — including 16 children — being taken to hospital.
A 10-year-old girl subsequently died.
Videos shared on social media showed children perched on a third-storey ledge as thick black smoke billowed from the building.
Bystanders, including construction workers, were seen using scaffolding and a ladder in efforts to rescue those trapped inside.
Tomato Cooking School issued a statement on Wednesday expressing its cooperation with the authorities.
“The circumstances that led to the fire are currently under investigation by the relevant authorities. We are providing our full cooperation and assistance with the ongoing investigation,” the statement read.
“At this moment, our priority remains the safety and well-being of everyone involved. We will continue to work closely with the authorities and will provide updates when appropriate.”
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