SINGAPORE - A fire originating from a store room of a sports shop in Far East Plaza on Saturday (Oct 24) night has left two injured.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said that it received a call alerting them to the fire at around 7.44pm.
They arrived on the scene around eight minutes after and put out the fire in 15 minutes. It dispatched two fire engines, three red rhinos and five support vehicles.
According to the SCDF, a woman in her 20s, believed to be a staff member of the shop, suffered burns on her palms.
A man in his 50s, believed to be a shopper, was sent to the Singapore General Hospital for smoke inhalation and a sprained ankle. They were trying to stop the fire before the SCDF arrived.
Around 250 people were evacuated by security personnel from the shopping mall.
The sports store, Sports Life, is on the second floor of the building.
Ms Esther Tham, 30, said that she was waiting for her husband to end work in a shop on the third floor of the mall when she smelt something burning.
"I went out of the store to see what was going on. Smoke was coming out from the second floor, and five minutes later, there was a notice for emergency evacuation," said the masseuse.
The fire saw users posting their photos and videos on Facebook and Twitter.
One user, Syxh, posted a video taken inside the mall around the time of the fire. It showed people moving quickly down escalators while the fire alarm rang.
Another video, posted by Iris L, showed people crowding outside the mall.
When contacted by The Straits Times, SCDF said it was still investigating the cause of the incident.
Management of Far East Plaza declined to comment when contacted about the incident.
The shopping centre has been closed until declared safe.
-- STonline