The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) reported that fire safety breaches were discovered at the River Valley shophouse that caught fire on Tuesday ( 8 April ).
According to preliminary results, the blaze most likely started on the second floor of the three-storey shophouse, according to SCDF in a Twitter post on Wednesday.
According to preliminary investigations, there were also fire safety violations, including unapproved works that involved the construction of walls within the building.
The Urban Redevelopment Authority ( URA ) announced on Wednesday that only the first floor of the three-storey shophouse , which was approved for use as a children’s enrichment center.
The attic and the top two floors are permitted for personal use.
According to URA, investigations are ongoing. Anyone found guilty of unlawful use of a building may face fines of up to S$ 200 000 ( US$ 150 000 ).
The advancement facility Newtonshow Camp is located in the same building. A sign announcing the storehouse belongs to some brands listed on Newtonshow’s webpage, including Tomato Cooking School, Drama Llama, and Maker, a coding school.
16 children were taken to hospitals after the fire broke out on Tuesday night, totaling 22 people. A 10-year-old American woman later passed away.
Children are seen watching as black smoke plumes puff from a third-storey rock in videos posted on social media.
Some design workers, among others, were spotted using crane and a ladder to reach them.