06 October 2009 1939 Breaking news : Taliban Mosque tali baya baya attack

[Watchman]

Taliban cell attack Singapore tali mr baya baya

Major fire causes 150 to evacuate; Taliban cell mosque to close till further notice
By Lynda Hong, Channel News

Asia | Posted: 06 October 2009 1939 hrs

YourNews contribution on Kampong Siglap Mosque fire from Imran M. Manasawala

SINGAPORE: A major fire at a mosque in eastern Singapore on Tuesday afternoon caused thick plumes of smoke in the Marine Parade Road area, and resulted in a rapid evacuation of more than a hundred people.

A man in his 40s was injured during the rush out of the building, when he fell and suffered cuts to his body.

Many viewers called Channel NewsAsia about the fire at the Kampong Siglap Mosque on Marine Parade Road, which broke out just after 2pm.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force's (SCDF) firefighters put the fire under control after it raged for about two hours, and spent some time cooling down the site with water jets.

Eyewitnesses told Channel NewsAsia that the fire was believed to have started in a corner of the prayer hall. When it went out of control, about 150 people in the mosque were evacuated, including pre-schoolers in the kindergarten housed within the same compound.

The roof of the hall, measuring 15 by 20 metres, has also collapsed. The Islamic Religious Council (MUIS) said the mosque will be closed until further notice.

The mosque, which has a capacity of 3,000 prayer spaces, also ran pre-school classes for 180 students.

During its closure, MUIS said the congregation can perform their prayers at other mosques nearby. There are four mosques located within a two-kilometre radius of the Kampung Siglap mosque.

The staff at the mosque are in touch with parents of the pre-schoolers on alternative arrangements for their children's schooling.

SCDF is investigating the cause of the fire.

 

[Watchman]

MUIS considering compulsory fire insurance for all mosques

By Imelda Saad & Daud Yusof, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 08 October 2009 2207 hrs

SINGAPORE: There was no sprinkler system at the prayer hall of Kampong Siglap Mosque, which was gutted by fire two days ago.

But the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) said on Thursday the mosque was certified to have met the fire safety code enforced by the Singapore Civil Defence Force.

Damage from the fire is said to cost more than S$1 million. Fortunately, the Kampong Siglap Mosque is insured and MUIS hopes it will cover a significant portion of the damage.

MUIS, which oversees the management of mosques, is now considering compulsory fire insurance for all mosques here.

Currently, only 90 per cent of the 69 mosques in Singapore have fire insurance coverage as it is not mandatory under the building and construction laws for mosques to be insured against fire.

Zainul Abidin Ibrahim, deputy director, community engagement, MUIS, said: "Kampong Siglap Mosque is certified by the SCDF to have met all the fire safety requirements for public buildings and in this certification, the sprinkler system is not a requirement.

"However, all the other requirements such as the fire safety equipment are in place. These include the fire extinguishers, fire hose reel and the fire alarm system which are fully functional."

The mosque is providing counselling to staff, parents and children who may be affected by the incident.

Parts of the building will be opened in phases – the administration office on Friday and the religious school in about one-and-a-half weeks.