Australian girl, 10, dies in fire in Singapore
A 10-year-old Australian girl has died after a fire tore through a cooking school in Singapore, leaving more than a dozen other children injured.
A 10-year old Australian girl has died after a fire tore through a building in Singapore.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) rushed to the three-storey shophouse on River Valley Road in the city centre, where a fire was raging on the second and third floors of the Tomato Cooking School at about 9.45am on Tuesday.
The SCDF reported construction workers and members of the public used scaffolding and a ladder to try and reach several children who were stranded on a ledge outside the third floor unit to bring them to safety.
The firefighters deployed ladders to rescue the remaining people who were stranded on the ledge outside the burning building, while another group went inside to the second and third floors to fight the fire.
“The fire was extinguished with three water jets within 30 minutes,” an SDCF spokesman said.
About 80 people from the shop house and nearby buildings were evacuated by police and firefighters.
At least five adults and 15 children were rushed to hospital.
The 10-year old Australian girl was one of the people rushed to hospital, but died from her injuries.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) confirmed the girl was an Australian citizen on Wednesday.
“(DFAT) is providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian who died in Singapore,” a spokesperson said in a statement to 7 News.
“We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time.”
A SDCF spokesman thanked members of the public who helped rescue those stranded in the burning building “for their quick actions and bravery”.
The civil defence force is investigating the cause of the fire, with preliminary findings identifying it likely originated from an area used for storage on the second storey of the building.
The Tomato Cooking School has released a statement saying they were deeply saddened and shocked by the fire that occurred at the shophouse.
“Our thoughts are with all the families and individuals affected during this difficult time,” the statement read.
“The circumstances that led to the fire is currently under investigation by the relevant authorities. We are providing our full co-operation and assistance with the ongoing investigation.
“We cannot express our sadness in words for the affected families and what they are going through. If we can provide any support or assistance, please feel free to reach out to us.”
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