Fire at Singapore hawker center forces evacuation of 100
What's next: Authorities will assess damage before Whampoa Makan Place reopens, with aid planned for affected stallholders.
A fire at Whampoa Makan Place in Singapore forced the evacuation of about 100 diners and hawkers on Friday afternoon, but no injuries were reported. The Singapore Civil Defence Force said it was alerted to the blaze at 90 Whampoa Drive at about 4.10 p.m. and found a fire involving the kitchen exhaust ducting of a ground-floor stall. Firefighters put it out with two water jets and a hosereel. Witnesses told local media the flames may have started at a western food stall and spread into the exhaust system, with one hawker saying a deep fryer appeared to be involved. Jalan Besar GRC MP Shawn Loh said the market would reopen only after investigations and safety checks, while the town council and National Environment Agency support affected vendors.