The charred bodies of the two people who died at the Marina Bay
Suites fire were discovered by SCDF fire fighters inside a service
lift.
The authorities received a call at 10.11pm on Monday requesting for
help at a building along Central Boulevard. Upon arrival it was
established that a fire had occurred at the 65th floor of the
luxury condominium.
The service lift lobby area serving the 65th floor was engulfed in
flames. After putting out the fire, fire fighters found two charred
bodies inside the the service lift opening on the same floor.
An SCDF spokesman said the fire involved renovation materials, such
as paint, at the service lift lobby area. The fire was confined to
the service corridor and lift area of the 65th floor.
As of 9.30am Tuesday morning, the building was still being cordoned
off with police officers at the scene. SCDF personnel were also
seen entering the building with spades and hand torches.
Earlier, a woman who looked to be in her 40s and another who looked
to be in her early 20s were spotted at the scene looking
distraught.
Residents who had been earlier been evacuated were allowed to
return to their apartments at 2.30am.
Police are as yet unable to confirm the gender, age and race of the
two persons. The cause of fire is currently under
investigation.
The 221-unit development is largely unoccupied, with residents
living in only 20 of the units, said Mr Thomas Tan, director of
residential and marketing for Raffles Quay Asset Management, which
manages the development.
The 65th floor apartment that caught fire was unsold and
unoccupied, Mr Tan told reporters.
ST(click to see map + video)