The Singapore Force announced that it had arrested a 41-year-old man for his suspected involvement in a case of mischief by fire at Jurong West Street 41.
The Police said that it was alerted to a fire that had broken out at a coffee shop and wet market located at Blk 493, Jurong West Street 41 on 11 October 2016 at about 2.42 am.
300 residents were evacuated from a coffee shop and wet market during the fire, while one of the residents, a lady in her 60s, had difficulty in breathing while evacuating. She was conveyed to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital. Fortunately, no other injuries were reported.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) dispatched three fire engines, four red rhinos, seven support vehicles, and 4 ambulances to extinguish the fire.
Due to the raging fire, the roof of the wet market collapsed and the exterior side wall of a coffee shop at Block 494, which was directly facing the blaze, sustained heavy fire damage.
The Police said that officers from the Criminal Investigation Department and Jurong Division responded immediately to the scene and commenced intensive investigation probes into the incident.
The Police conducted extensive ground enquiries and follow-up investigations. Therefore, the suspect was identified and arrested on 13 October 2016 along Jurong West Street 41.
The Police said that the suspect will be charged in Court on 15 October 2016 with the offence of Mischief by Fire with intent to destroy a building under Section 436 of the Penal Code, which is punishable on conviction with imprisonment for life or with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 10 years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Commander Jurong Division, Assistant Commissioner of Police (AC) Koh Wei Keong said, “This is a serious crime which had resulted in extensive damage to property and loss of income to innocent victims. The Police have zero tolerance for such lawless acts and will ensure that perpetrators are dealt with to the fullest extent of the law.”
