Fatal fire in Jurong: Building's structural integrity intact

SINGAPORE — The structural integrity of the building in Jurong East that caught fire on Thursday morning (May 4) is intact, the Building & Construction Authority (BCA) said in a statement in the evening. 

The BCA added that a Professional Engineer (PE) appointed by the building's owner  — situated opposite the IMM building — had inspected and confirmed that the structural integrity of the building is not affected.  

However, BCA’s engineer found that part of the front external wall cladding from first storey to the roof of the building was damaged by the fire, which killed a 54-year-old woman.

The affected area has been cordoned off and the building will be closed till rectification works are completed.

“In the interest of public safety, the affected area (including the area below the damaged cladding) has been cordoned and closed until the rectification works have been completed. The appointed PE will be carrying out a detailed investigation to assess the condition of the remaining cladding and submit to BCA a report which will include the recommended permanent rectification works,” the BCA said.

BCA did not specify in its statement when the building would be reopened. But, according to a notice posted by a tenant, the building will be closed till May 8.

An employee of a tenant at the building, Madam Neo Siew Eng, was taken unconscious to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital for second-degree burns and died from her injuries hours later.

The police and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) are investigating her death and the cause of the fire.

The building — which comprises an eight-storey warehouse with offices and an adjoining two-storey conventional warehouse — is a property under the portfolio of Cambridge Industrial Trust.

Mr Shane Hagan, chief operating officer and chief financial officer of Cambridge Industrial Trust Management, the manager of Cambridge Industrial Trust, said in a statement: “We understand that an employee of one of our tenants was hurt and has since died from injuries sustained in the fire. We are deeply saddened by this incident ...”

“Our staff are working closely with the relevant authorities to ascertain the cause of the fire. We are also working with the relevant authorities and our affected tenants to ensure the smooth resumption of operations (at the building),” he added.

The police were first alerted to the fire at 30 Toh Guan Road at about 7.38am. About 50 people had to be evacuated.

SCDF officers extinguished the flames within 40 minutes. A total of two fire engines, two Red Rhinos, two fire bikes, five support vehicles and two ambulances were sent to the site.

According to a post on the SCDF’s Facebook page, the fire was confined to the external facade of the building and involved contents of a warehouse.

The left and centre lanes of Toh Guan Road towards Boon Lay Way were briefly closed for nearly 3 hours, before reopening at around 11am.