4 affected by smoke inhalation after Hougang coffeeshop fire

Four people were affected by smoke inhalation after a fire broke out at a coffeeshop at Block 246 Hougang Street 22 early on Tuesday (May 17). 

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said that of the four, a man in his 50s and a woman in her 60s were taken to Tan Tock Seng Hospital. A six-year-old boy was taken to KK Women's and Children's Hospital. The fourth person refused to be taken to hospital, SCDF added. 

A total of 82 residents were evacuated, either by themselves, or by police. 

SCDF said the fire involved the contents in the coffeeshop. It was alerted to the incident at about 2.40am, and sent two fire engines, two Red Rhinos, three ambulances and three support vehicles to the scene. Officers used a power saw to enter the coffeeshop. The fire was extinguished using two water jets, SCDF said. 

SCDF added that it is investigating the cause of the fire.