Rescue teams at the scene of the fire on River Valley Road on April 8, 2025 morning. - ST
SINGAPORE: Fifteen children and four adults were taken to hospital after a fire broke out at a shophouse in River Valley Road on Tuesday (April 8).
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said in a statement on Facebook that it was alerted to a fire at 278 River Valley Road at about 9.45am.
A check by The Straits Times shows that this is the listed address of Tomato Cooking School, which runs cooking lessons and camps for children.
When SCDF officers arrived at the scene, a fire was raging on the second and third floors of the three-storey shophouse, the statement said.
“Members of the public, including construction workers, used a metal scaffolding and a ladder to reach those stranded and brought a number of them to safety,” SCDF added.
A little girl being escorted to an ambulance at the scene of the fire. -ST
SCDF officers deployed ladders to rescue those stranded on the ledge, while firefighters proceeded to the second and third floors.
The fire was extinguished within 30 minutes using three water jets.
About 80 people from the affected shophouse and nearby premises were evacuated.
In a video posted on Facebook at about 10am, thick black smoke is seen billowing from the windows of the third floor of the building.
A few people wearing high-visibility vests can be seen on a scaffolding reaching out to help those sitting on a ledge below the windows.
In another video, more than 10 people, including some who appear to be children, are seen sitting on the ledge. A few of them are seen being carried down to safety by the men on the scaffolding.
“We would like to thank the members of the public who assisted in the rescue of the stranded persons for their quick actions and bravery,” SCDF said in its Facebook post.
The Straits Times has contacted the police for more information.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. - The Straits Times/ANN
