1 child dead, 18 children & adults injured: Fire at River Valley Road shophouse

[CoffeeAhSoh]

Overcrowded also big stick de woh :(

 

[sbfuncle]

What is the profile of the poor victim?

 

[sbfuncle]

Overcrowded also big stick de woh :(

Yes, shop houses are all Verlee cramped with narrow staircase.
Before a cooking class is approved, there must be stringent checks on fore safety and escape route.
Maybe all these wasn't in placed.

 

[laksaboy]

RIP to that poor kid.

 

[oliverlee]

Every single Ayden, Jayden and Brayden attend pastry-making holiday enrichment class by Michelin chefs.

nah, they attend football clinics i understand. Creative enrichment classes yes. Cooking? still a small number. Mostly the domain of rich foreign kids. That's why Sinkies can't cook. They all need helpers or they will die

 

[oliverlee]

See shinmin paper top right. Vietbu sharpen knife want to kill husband

the victim looks like OYK, except better

 

[rocket]

What is the profile of the poor victim?

10-year-old girl dies after fire breaks out at River Valley Road shophouse​

‹‹

1 of 5
SCDF said in a statement on Facebook around noon that it was alerted to a fire at 278 River Valley Road at about 9.45am.PHOTO: ST READER

2 of 5
An SCDF rescue truck at the scene of the River Valley Road fire on April 8.ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG

3 of 5
A little girl being escorted to an ambulance.ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG

4 of 5
SCDF officers deployed ladders to rescue those stranded on a ledge, while firefighters proceeded to the second and third floors of the building.PHOTO: COURTESY OF ESTINE MORRIS-BULLOCK

5 of 5
The fire was extinguished within 30 minutes using three water jets.ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
››
Ian Cheng and Joakim Kang
UPDATED Apr 08, 2025, 11:43 PM


SINGAPORE – A girl died and 21 other people were injured after a fire broke out at a shophouse in River Valley Road on April 8.

The 10-year-old girl died after she was taken to the hospital, said the police. The 22 casualties comprised six adults aged between 23 and 55, and 16 children aged between six and 10, they added.

The police and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said they were alerted to a fire at 278 River Valley Road at about 9.45am.


A check by The Straits Times shows that this is the listed address of Tomato Cooking School, which runs cooking lessons and camps for children.

When SCDF officers arrived at the scene, a fire was raging on the second and third floors of the three-storey shophouse, the SCDF said in a Facebook post.


“Members of the public, including construction workers, used metal scaffolding and a ladder to reach those stranded and brought a number of them to safety,” it added.


SCDF officers deployed ladders to rescue the rest of those stranded on a ledge, while firefighters proceeded to the second and third floors.

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The fire was extinguished within 30 minutes using three water jets.

About 80 people from the affected shophouse and nearby premises were evacuated.


A Building and Construction Authority (BCA) spokesperson said its engineers conducted an inspection of the premises after the fire was put out and found that the building’s structural integrity was not affected.

The fire did not affect the neighbouring buildings and these remain safe for occupancy, said the spokesperson.

SCDF said in a statement on Facebook at around noon that it was alerted to a fire at 278 River Valley Road at about 9.45am.PHOTO: ST READER
As a precautionary measure, BCA ordered the affected building’s owner to close it off and appoint a professional engineer to carry out a detailed investigation and recommend rectification works.

Several Indian media outlets reported that the son of Indian politician Pawan Kalyan was among those injured in the blaze.

A Facebook post by the JanaSena Party, which Mr Kalyan founded, said the boy was involved in a “fire accident” at his school in Singapore.

The seven-year-old, who was identified as Mark Shankar, was said to have injuries to his hands and legs, and suffered from smoke inhalation. He is undergoing treatment at a hospital.

Mr Kalyan was touring the Alluri Sitharama Raju district in Andhra Pradesh when he was informed of the news, according to The Times of India.

A spokesman for the party said Mr Kalyan will be travelling to Singapore on April 8.

Fire and medical crews at the scene of the fire in River Valley Road on April 8.ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG

‘Like a scene out of a war zone’​

In a video posted on Facebook at about 10am, thick black smoke can be seen billowing from the windows of the third floor of the building. A few people wearing high-visibility vests can be seen on scaffolding reaching out to help those sitting on a ledge below the windows.

In another video, more than 10 people, including some who appear to be children, can be seen sitting on the ledge. A few of them are seen being carried down to safety by the men on the scaffolding.

People sitting on the building’s ledge, waiting to be rescued.PHOTO: COURTESY OF ESTINE MORRIS-BULLOCK
When ST arrived at the scene at around 10.50am, there were several police vehicles, four fire engines and a number of ambulances.

The road was cordoned off by the police, though onlookers had gathered around.

Witnesses who spoke to ST said there were as many as five people still inside the burning unit before SCDF officers entered the premises to rescue them.

Mr Shaik Amirudin, who owns the nearby Flex Fitness studio, said he heard a loud noise before a client who was leaving the studio told him about the smoke. He quickly evacuated the premises with the rest of his clients.

Mr Shaik Amirudin, who owns the nearby Flex Fitness studio, said he heard a loud noise before a client who was leaving the studio told him about the smoke.ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
Seeing the children and their teachers on the ledge, he rushed over to help and held on to the scaffolding as construction workers tried to rescue them.

“The construction workers and first responders sprung into action,” said the 31-year-old.

“It was like a scene out of a war zone,” he added. “There was a woman who appeared dazed, with soot on her face, shouting that there were still five children inside.”

He said that he later saw many children, who were motionless, being carried out of the premises by SCDF officers.

Mr Saran, a 33-year-old construction worker, said he and other workers ran over when they saw the smoke.

“I was scared – many children were inside the unit and crying. I saw we had the scaffolding, which was something that could help,” he said, adding that they rescued about 10 children.


Another construction worker, Mr Kannanthasan, 30, said he climbed the scaffolding to rescue the children and teachers, shortly before SCDF officers arrived.

SCDF said in its Facebook post: “We would like to thank the members of the public who assisted in the rescue of the stranded persons for their quick actions and bravery.”

Associate Professor Sashikumar Ganapathy, who heads the department of emergency medicine at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, confirmed that the hospital received casualties from the fire.

“Our immediate priority is to provide urgent medical care to these patients and to lend support to the caregivers,” he said.

Based on preliminary investigations, no foul play is suspected, said the police. Investigations are ongoing

10-year-old girl dies after fire breaks out at River Valley Road shophouse​

‹‹

1 of 5
SCDF said in a statement on Facebook around noon that it was alerted to a fire at 278 River Valley Road at about 9.45am.PHOTO: ST READER

2 of 5
An SCDF rescue truck at the scene of the River Valley Road fire on April 8.ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG

3 of 5
A little girl being escorted to an ambulance.ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG

4 of 5
SCDF officers deployed ladders to rescue those stranded on a ledge, while firefighters proceeded to the second and third floors of the building.PHOTO: COURTESY OF ESTINE MORRIS-BULLOCK

5 of 5
The fire was extinguished within 30 minutes using three water jets.ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG​

››
Ian Cheng and Joakim Kang
UPDATED Apr 08, 2025, 11:43 PM
SINGAPORE – A girl died and 21 other people were injured after a fire broke out at a shophouse in River Valley Road on April 8.
The 10-year-old girl died after she was taken to the hospital, said the police. The 22 casualties comprised six adults aged between 23 and 55, and 16 children aged between six and 10, they added.
The police and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said they were alerted to a fire at 278 River Valley Road at about 9.45am.
A check by The Straits Times shows that this is the listed address of Tomato Cooking School, which runs cooking lessons and camps for children.
When SCDF officers arrived at the scene, a fire was raging on the second and third floors of the three-storey shophouse, the SCDF said in a Facebook post.
“Members of the public, including construction workers, used metal scaffolding and a ladder to reach those stranded and brought a number of them to safety,” it added.
SCDF officers deployed ladders to rescue the rest of those stranded on a ledge, while firefighters proceeded to the second and third floors.

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Sign up
By signing up, I accept SPH Media's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy as amended from time to time.

​

Yes, I would also like to receive SPH Media Group's
SPH Media Limited, its related corporations and affiliates as well as their agents and authorised service providers.
marketing and promotions.​

The fire was extinguished within 30 minutes using three water jets.
About 80 people from the affected shophouse and nearby premises were evacuated.
A Building and Construction Authority (BCA) spokesperson said its engineers conducted an inspection of the premises after the fire was put out and found that the building’s structural integrity was not affected.
The fire did not affect the neighbouring buildings and these remain safe for occupancy, said the spokesperson.

SCDF said in a statement on Facebook at around noon that it was alerted to a fire at 278 River Valley Road at about 9.45am.PHOTO: ST READER
As a precautionary measure, BCA ordered the affected building’s owner to close it off and appoint a professional engineer to carry out a detailed investigation and recommend rectification works.
Several Indian media outlets reported that the son of Indian politician Pawan Kalyan was among those injured in the blaze.
A Facebook post by the JanaSena Party, which Mr Kalyan founded, said the boy was involved in a “fire accident” at his school in Singapore.
The seven-year-old, who was identified as Mark Shankar, was said to have injuries to his hands and legs, and suffered from smoke inhalation. He is undergoing treatment at a hospital.
Mr Kalyan was touring the Alluri Sitharama Raju district in Andhra Pradesh when he was informed of the news, according to The Times of India.
A spokesman for the party said Mr Kalyan will be travelling to Singapore on April 8.

Fire and medical crews at the scene of the fire in River Valley Road on April 8.ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG

‘Like a scene out of a war zone’​

In a video posted on Facebook at about 10am, thick black smoke can be seen billowing from the windows of the third floor of the building. A few people wearing high-visibility vests can be seen on scaffolding reaching out to help those sitting on a ledge below the windows.
In another video, more than 10 people, including some who appear to be children, can be seen sitting on the ledge. A few of them are seen being carried down to safety by the men on the scaffolding.

People sitting on the building’s ledge, waiting to be rescued.PHOTO: COURTESY OF ESTINE MORRIS-BULLOCK
When ST arrived at the scene at around 10.50am, there were several police vehicles, four fire engines and a number of ambulances.
The road was cordoned off by the police, though onlookers had gathered around.
Witnesses who spoke to ST said there were as many as five people still inside the burning unit before SCDF officers entered the premises to rescue them.
Mr Shaik Amirudin, who owns the nearby Flex Fitness studio, said he heard a loud noise before a client who was leaving the studio told him about the smoke. He quickly evacuated the premises with the rest of his clients.

Mr Shaik Amirudin, who owns the nearby Flex Fitness studio, said he heard a loud noise before a client who was leaving the studio told him about the smoke.ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
Seeing the children and their teachers on the ledge, he rushed over to help and held on to the scaffolding as construction workers tried to rescue them.
“The construction workers and first responders sprung into action,” said the 31-year-old.
“It was like a scene out of a war zone,” he added. “There was a woman who appeared dazed, with soot on her face, shouting that there were still five children inside.”
He said that he later saw many children, who were motionless, being carried out of the premises by SCDF officers.
Mr Saran, a 33-year-old construction worker, said he and other workers ran over when they saw the smoke.
“I was scared – many children were inside the unit and crying. I saw we had the scaffolding, which was something that could help,” he said, adding that they rescued about 10 children.
Another construction worker, Mr Kannanthasan, 30, said he climbed the scaffolding to rescue the children and teachers, shortly before SCDF officers arrived.
SCDF said in its Facebook post: “We would like to thank the members of the public who assisted in the rescue of the stranded persons for their quick actions and bravery.”
Associate Professor Sashikumar Ganapathy, who heads the department of emergency medicine at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, confirmed that the hospital received casualties from the fire.
“Our immediate priority is to provide urgent medical care to these patients and to lend support to the caregivers,” he said.
Based on preliminary investigations, no foul play is suspected, said the police. Investigations are ongoing

 

[CoffeeAhSoh]

Tai Ji Dua Teow liao .

 

[oliverlee]

seems like kids from an Indian Global school. are those sitting on the ledge staff of Tomato or the kids' school? If they are teachers, then we can eliminate more than 80% of the international schools in Sg

 

[CoffeeAhSoh]

Japanese Tik Toker in SG

 

[CoffeeAhSoh]

 

[laksaboy]

If the school were located on a high floor of a tall building, what would have happened?

 

[CoffeeAhSoh]

Tiagong , news blackout liao .

 

[VanDick]

Tiagong , news blackout liao .

All because one of the victim is the son of a prominent filthy Ceca politician?

 

[sbfuncle]

Tiagong , news blackout liao .

Till now no Leeporting of details of victim etc seems like it will be a secret news.
And those casualties likely are atas children and not peasants.

 

[50000]

We learnt a new term today from the Ng Teng Fong family - "Politically Significant Persons" ("PSP").
With PSPs, I believe we, the normal Ah Beng/Ah Seng, have to be careful when we have dealings with them so that it does not fall under "foreign interference".

This child in the fire should technically fall under the same definition of PSP as with probably tons of CECAs that are here. How the fuck do we know these CECAs are PSPs or not???

 

[cocobobo]

Japanese Tik Toker in SG

Looks like a mix of tourist kids from India and some locals.

There are kids wearing full turbans, which
I've not seen in Sg for years. The Sikh kids here wear those small bun types.

 

[laksaboy]

Tiagong , news blackout liao .

Blackout or gaslighting. The two default media modes of a totalitarian regime.

 

[oliverlee]

Hopefully this will cause some roaches to fuck back to the ganges

 

[cocobobo]

The dead kid is Oz passport. Dunno what race.