A fire broke out at Lucky Plaza on Orchard Road on 20 October 2024, leading to a quick evacuation and hospitalisation. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) confirmed it was alerted to the incident at approximately 9.45am.
According to eyewitnesses, around 20 individuals were evacuated from the shopping centre before SCDF arrived. The fire originated from a charcoal stove on the sixth floor, and by the time SCDF got on the scene, members of the public had already taken matters into their own hands using buckets of water to douse the flames.
Two individuals were subsequently taken to Tan Tock Seng Hospital for treatment. Videos shared online depict SCDF personnel at the entrance of the mall, with a crowd gathering nearby as an ambulance stood by.
Witness Accounts
Jane Z Hwee Mei, a witness who was at the hair salon on the sixth floor, recounted her experience: “I was greeted by a plume of smoke and a burnt smell.” A firefighter urged her and others to evacuate, but not before her hairdresser quickly finished up her haircut.
Interestingly, while the sixth floor was being cleared, many patrons continued to shop on the first to fifth floors, seemingly unfazed by the situation. “I was a little worried at first… but the rest were chill, so I didn’t freak out,” Jane admitted.
Previous Incidents
This isn’t the first time Lucky Plaza has faced such incidents. Fires had previously broken out in 2014 and 2015, with the earlier fire causing some injuries due to smoke inhalation. Responding to the latest incident, the SCDF is currently investigating the cause of the fire.
The mall is a popular spot, especially among the Filipino expatriate community, housing numerous shops and eateries. As local authorities assess the safety of the premises, shoppers are naturally concerned about potential risks in the future.