Question:
Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong: To ask the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs (a) what is the cause of the fire which took place at the River Valley Road shophouse on 8 April 2025; and (b) what are the lessons learned in terms of fire prevention and fire escape, whether for purposes of (i) an educational or children’s enrichment establishment or (ii) such shophouse premises generally.
Answer:
Mr K Shanmugam, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs:
1. Investigations are still ongoing. Based on Singapore Civil Defence Force’s (SCDF’s) preliminary findings, the fire had likely originated from an area used for storage on the second storey of the shophouse. SCDF also found several fire safety non-compliances, including unauthorised works involving the erection of partitions within the premises.
