“Ang Mo Kio Coffee Shop Fire: Devastated Stallholders Face Significant Losses, Estimated at $500,000”

SINGAPORE – An early morning fire tore through a coffee shop in Ang Mo Kio on Tuesday (June 11), leaving around 10 stalls heavily damaged and stallholders facing considerable financial losses. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) responded to the incident at GHK 407 Food House on Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10 around 2:40 a.m., evacuating 18 residents from nearby units. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

Initial investigations suggest the fire may have started from unattended cooking at one of the stalls. Wu, the 73-year-old owner of the coffee shop, expressed heartbreak over the destruction but emphasized the relief of everyone’s safety. Wu estimated that the financial impact could reach at least $500,000 and has contacted his insurance provider to initiate claims.

Stallholders are reeling from the losses, with one bak chor mee vendor estimating tens of thousands of dollars in damages, while a Western food stall owner anticipated a minimum of $30,000 in lost ingredients, equipment, and appliances. One stallholder attempted to salvage earnings by breaking into his fire-damaged cash register, according to local reports.

At the time of the fire, only the drinks and cai fan stalls were open. A 43-year-old supervisor at the cai fan stall said staff on duty noticed the fire after returning from a brief break, stating that no cooking was taking place at the time. Attempts to contain the flames were unsuccessful, with the blaze quickly engulfing the premises within minutes.

A notable detail was the survival of a deity altar in one corner of the shop, which was unharmed amidst the destruction. Liu, a 75-year-old caretaker, mentioned that the altar, housing the statues of Tua Pek Kong and Di Zhu Gong, has been under his care for 45 years, and its survival surprised many onlookers.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, also an Ang Mo Kio GRC MP, visited the site and spoke with affected residents and business owners. He expressed relief that the fire did not spread to the nearby wet market and food center and stressed the importance of fire insurance. In a Facebook post, he urged stall owners and residents alike to consider fire insurance for better protection in unforeseen circumstances.