(Exemption of Notice) FIRE AT ROBINSON DEPARTMENTAL STORE

3.35 p.m.

Mr Speaker: The hon. Member for Serangoon Gardens wishes to ask a question without notice, as provided for under Standing Order No. 19. I have considered it and am of the opinion that it is of an urgent character. I have therefore given him permission to ask the question.

Mr L. P. Rodrigo (Serangoon Gardens): Mr Speaker, Sir, today we all know of the tragic fire which broke out at the Robinson departmental store at Raffles Place. In view of the magnitude of the fire and the number of lives it has claimed, I regard this as a matter of public importance and sufficiently urgent to merit a voice in this House, for which I am grateful to you, Sir.

My question is simply to ask the Minister for Social Affairs if he would inform this House of (i) the tragic outcome of the fire which broke out yesterday in the Robinson departmental store, and (ii) any other details which he may now have in his possession.

The Minister for Social Affairs (Encik Othman Bin Wok): Mr Speaker, Sir, at 1006 hours yesterday, the Fire Brigade Control Room received a telephone call that an electrical short circuit had occurred in the Robinson departmental store at Raffles Place. This was followed by a series of calls from members of the public. The Fire Brigade immediately responded to the fire call. The officer, on arrival at 1013 hours, immediately radioed the Fire Control Room that Robinson's was smoke-lodged and requested for an additional pump. The fire, fanned by a steady breeze, rapidly worsened due to the highly combustible stocks and structures of the building. Reinforcements of men and fire engines were sent to the scene immediately. The fire at this stage had already obtained a very strong hold and spread rapidly throughout the entire building. At the height of the fire, 14 fire engines and some 90 officers and men were engaged in fire operations. A total of nine hand-controlled branches and three twin branches were brought to bear on the fire. The Brigade is still engaged in damping-down operations at this very moment.

As a result of the fire the building and contents of Robinson's were completely destroyed, and the upper floor of adjoining and adjacent premises was affected by the heat and flames. The Assistant Director, Building Control Division, was contacted and was requested to inspect the beams and columns and to advise the Brigade of their stability. Following a preliminary inspection and assessment, the Brigade was advised that the structures were not stable, and it was therefore inadvisable to begin digging operations.

The lift-car nearest Messrs Bengold was forced open last night, but no one was found inside. The passenger lift-cars located at the rear of the premises had collapsed during the fire. However, Sir, I have just been informed that at 2.00 p.m. this afternoon four skeletons were found at the fire site. There was another lift-car in the basement, which is still unopened because the basement is flooded with water. We do not as yet know whether it is empty or not.

The PSA Fire Brigade assisted the Singapore Fire Brigade with manpower and pumping units at the height of this blaze. I would like to inform the House, Sir, that members of the Singapore Fire Brigade and members of the PSA Fire Brigade did a splendid job in not only controlling the fire but also in preventing it from spreading to the adjacent buildings.

Mr Hwang Soo Jin: Mr Speaker, Sir, without making any attempt to prejudge the cause of the fire, at this juncture there are two suggestions I would like to put forward to the Minister. (1) Will the Minister consider requiring all owners of old buildings, frequented by members of the public, to be regularly inspected by competent electrical engineers with particular attention to the electrical wiring? (2) At present there does not seem to be much control over the manner in which old buildings can be renovated. In many instances, the interior has been renovated to an extent that no adequate fire exits are provided. Therefore, I do not know whether the Fire Brigade can make rules requiring owners of old buildings wishing to renovate to apply for their permission, so that the Fire Brigade could ensure that adequate fire exits are provided. This is one aspect worth looking into.

Encik Othman Bin Wok: Sir, in fact, this matter was immediately discussed by my officers yesterday. The outcome of the discussion will be made known soon.

Dr Tan Eng Liang: Mr Speaker, Sir, will the Minister for Social Affairs consider establishing some co-ordination between the Fire Brigade and the PUB, for example, to ensure that sufficient water pressure is given in all outbreaks of fire?

Encik Othman Bin Wok: Sir, there is always co-ordination between the Fire Brigade and the PUB. Yesterday, at the height of the blaze, the PUB directed water pressure in full to the affected areas.