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Gutted by Oct 2016 fire, new Jurong West market opens to cheers from stallholders, residents

SINGAPORE — When his yong tau foo stall in Jurong West was gutted in a blaze that claimed the entire wet market in October 2016, Mr Neo Chwee Eng feared that his livelihood had vanished overnight. The 83-year-old’s worries have eased more than two years on, as he returned last month to a new, bigger space which replaced the market that was razed to the ground.

After enduring higher rents and slow footfall at a temporary facility, stallholders at the Jurong West market — which was gutted in a fire in October 2016 — said they were happy to return to “familiar” surroundings and reclaim what they lost more than two years ago.

After enduring higher rents and slow footfall at a temporary facility, stallholders at the Jurong West market — which was gutted in a fire in October 2016 — said they were happy to return to “familiar” surroundings and reclaim what they lost more than two years ago.

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SINGAPORE — When his yong tau foo stall in Jurong West was gutted in a blaze that claimed the entire wet market in October 2016, Mr Neo Chwee Eng feared that his livelihood had vanished overnight.

The 83-year-old’s worries have eased more than two years on, as he returned last month to a new, bigger space which replaced the market that was razed to the ground.

The 1,728 sqm facility at Block 493 Jurong West Street 41 — called the Jurong Central Plaza — opened its doors officially on Tuesday (Jan 1). It comprises a 35-unit market and coffee shop on the ground level, and a new space for seniors on the second storey.

Some stallholders at the new market began the move from a temporary facility in November. The makeshift market housing about 20 stalls was built in six weeks with donations from the community.

Mr Neo said he was at a loss after the fire in the wee hours of Oct 11, 2016 put more than 50 stallholders — including those at two neighbouring coffee shops — out of business.

“I didn’t know what would happen and whether I could still make a living,” he told TODAY.

Business was sluggish at the makeshift market and Mr Neo said his takings dipped by 30 per cent as some of his elderly customers found it inconvenient to travel there.

Stallholders also had to pay higher rents at the temporary market.

Mr Lim Cheng Hock, 55, who sells roast duck and pork, said he had to fork out about S$100 more in rent. After factoring in expenses for utilities and maintenance, he said he made losses during his two years there.

That has changed with the stallholders’ return to the new market. Mr Lim said his earnings are now about 30 per cent higher, while Mr Neo reported that business is “coming back up”.

Other stallholders were also happy with the revamped market, which is 30 per cent bigger than the former wet market and has wider aisles and better ventilation.

Madam Ng Bee Peng, 50, who sells curry paste, said: “The environment is more comfortable.”

Agreeing, resident Maya Ahmad, 60, added that it was “brighter and more airy”.

At the adjoining coffee shop, Madam Amphorn Muenaphai, 50, who runs Amphorn Thai Food, said she was “very sad” after her stall was gutted in the fire, but she is ready to put that episode behind her.

“I’m very happy to be back because I’m familiar with the place,” she said.

A resident who wanted to be identified only as Ms May said she was “so happy” to see Mdm Muenaphai returning after two years. “It’s (the coffee shop) very nice and good... It’s new, so it’s a lot cleaner and not so hot,” said the 63-year-old finance professional.

Speaking to reporters after opening the facility, Mr Ang Wei Neng, a Member of Parliament for Jurong Group Representation Constituency, said footfall has increased quite significantly since the stallholders began operations and residents are happy to buy food from “familiar faces” again.

Rental rates remain unchanged, added Mr Ang.

The fire that reduced the old wet market to ashes in October 2016 started after odd-job worker Lim Ying Siang, then 41, set fire to two styrofoam boxes, wreaking damage and losses totalling more than S$6 million.

In March last year, Lim was jailed for 11-and-a-half years and ordered to be given three strokes of the cane after he pleaded guilty to committing mischief by fire and drug consumption.

Asked what extra safeguards have been built into the new complex to prevent a recurrence, Mr Ang said stallholders now have more space to arrange their goods and have been advised against storing flammable items. Other fire safety measures, such as fire extinguishers, are also in place.

The elder care centre and activity centre for seniors will open in the second quarter of the year as renovation is still underway and an operating licence will have to be granted by the Health Ministry. The new space run by NTUC Health, the health and community care arm of the labour movement, will cater to the growing needs of an ageing population as another centre along Jurong West Street 42 is running at capacity, Mr Ang said.

Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who also officiated the opening, said the new facility demonstrated that “no problem is too big if we work together”.

“It shows how the grassroots leaders, led by Mr Ang Wei Neng, together with the hawkers, the Housing and Development Board and other government agencies, worked together to overcome the problem,” he said.

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