Fire breaks out at Boat Quay restaurant, some diners allegedly left without paying
The total bill was around $100.
A fire broke out at a seafood restaurant in Boat Quay on the night of April 14, sending diners and staff scrambling to evacuate.
In the chaos, two tables of diners reportedly left the scene before settling their bill.
The blaze reportedly started in the restaurant's kitchen around 11.45pm, and photos shared with Shin Min Daily News showed at least three to four Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) vehicles at the scene.
Officers were seen inspecting the back of the affected eatery.
Smoke seen billowing from kitchen
Videos circulating online showed thick smoke pouring out of the restaurant's rear kitchen.
When reporters visited the site the next morning (April 15), the back wall of the eatery appeared blackened with soot, and the air still carried a strong smell of smoke.
A 25-year-old restaurant staff member by the name of Wei Bo Er told reporters that when the fire broke out, there were only three tables of diners and the kitchen crew left.
"I was outside attending to customers. The chef was outside the kitchen, not cooking at the time," he said.
He added that someone nearby shouted about smoke coming from the back - that's when they realised there was a fire.
"We called the authorities immediately. SCDF arrived quickly and sealed off the area. But we're still not sure what caused the fire."
According to him, while all three tables of customers fled during the evacuation, only one returned to settle the bill.
"The remaining two tables didn't come back. Their total bill was around $100."
SCDF confirms 1 person injured
In response to The New Paper's queries, the SCDF confirmed the fire involved an exhaust duct in the restaurant's first-floor kitchen.
Firefighters put out the blaze using a water jet. One person suffered minor injuries but declined to be taken to hospital.
Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.