C.K. Tangs on fire!

From The Straits Times:

THE landmark tiled roof of Tangs department store along Orchard Road went up in flames on Sunday night, drawing the Orchard Road weekend crowd to a standstill.

Shoppers were barred from entering the store, which is part of the Singapore Marriot Hotel building, although people already inside were not evacuated.

Passers-by said they saw 2m-high flames shoot up from the sloping green-tiled roof at around 7.45pm.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force had the fire under control within 15 minutes, although the firefighters had to remain on their toes to douse several isolated sparks that continued to sputter from the roof for an hour afterwards.

While the cause of the fire is still being investigated, those who saw the fire suggested that it could have been caused by a lightning strike on the roof.

The rain, which had fallen in Orchard Road since the late morning, had stopped at the time the fire began, but there was still lightning and thunder in the area.

A Tangs department store spokesman said they did not believe the fire was caused by the Christmas decorations, as they were still alight.

An SCDF spokesman said they felt no need to evacuate the store as the fire affected only the building's facade.

A Tangs department store spokesman added that it had made several announcements to keep its customers aware of what was going on outside.

Its staff were also put on stand-by to deal with any emergencies if the fire had spread.

Shoppers who wanted to leave were ushered out through a side door, as the fire was near the main entrance.

News Report ? 2006 Singapore Press Holdings