Fire tears through River Valley Road shophouse housing children’s cooking camp, leaving dozens hospitalised
A devastating fire at a three-storey shophouse in Singapore has claimed the life of a 10-year-old girl and left 18 others injured, including multiple children and adults.
Emergency services were called to 278 River Valley Road shortly before 10am on Tuesday, where a blaze had engulfed the second and third floors of the building, home to the Tomato Cooking School—a facility known for its children’s culinary camps.
Upon arrival, Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) personnel encountered thick smoke pouring from the windows. Members of the public, including nearby construction workers, acted swiftly, using ladders and scaffolding to rescue trapped individuals, some of whom were children stranded on upper-level ledges.
SCDF officers deployed additional ladders and managed to extinguish the fire within 30 minutes using three water jets.
Altogether, 15 children and four adults were transported to hospital for treatment. Eyewitnesses described seeing emergency responders carrying unconscious children from the premises.
Roughly 80 people were safely evacuated from the scene, and the area remains under investigation.
Among those injured was a young boy reportedly identified as the son of Indian political figure Pawan Kalyan. According to the JanaSena Party, Mark Shankar suffered injuries to his limbs and was experiencing respiratory distress following the fire. The party confirmed that Kalyan intends to travel to Singapore as soon as his schedule permits.
Authorities are continuing to assess the circumstances that led to the blaze, with further updates expected.
