A fire broke out at Dignity Kitchen, a hawker center in Singapore, on Thursday (2 February 2024) evening, with arson now suspected as the cause. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) responded swiftly, managing to contain the fire within an hour.
The fire reportedly started around 7:30 pm, with plumes of smoke soon becoming visible from outside the building. Eyewitnesses shared images and videos of the scene on social media, showing flames and thick smoke emanating from the hawker center.
SCDF dispatched several fire engines and fire bikes to the scene, and firefighters worked diligently to extinguish the blaze. They managed to bring the fire under control by 8:25 pm, preventing it from spreading to neighboring establishments.
While the full extent of the damage is still being assessed, it is clear that Dignity Kitchen has suffered significant losses. The hawker center, which is known for providing opportunities for disadvantaged individuals to learn culinary skills and run their own food stalls, will remain closed until further notice.
The police are now investigating the incident as a case of arson, and are appealing for any information related to the fire. Anyone with knowledge of the incident is encouraged to contact the authorities.
At this time, there have been no reported injuries, and the BBC commends the SCDF for their quick and effective response. Our thoughts are with the Dignity Kitchen community as they work to recover from this devastating event.