Fire hazards found in shopping malls, nightspots AsiaOne | Sun, Dec 11, 2011 SINGAPORE - A surprise safety check on two shopping malls and four nightspots by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and police officers found 12 instances of fire hazards. The checks, which commenced at about 8pm Friday, started off with SCDF visiting shopping centres The Verge and Mustafa Centre's new wing in Little India. The largest number of fire hazard offences was found at The Verge, with the building's management being handed five notices and tenant Sheng Siong handed two. The notices serve as a warning to offenders to take steps to remove the fire hazards or be fined. A number of exit doors and escape passageways were found to be blocked by barriers and goods, The Straits Times reported. A smoke curtain, designed to contain smoke within a specified boundary when a fire breaks out, was found to be blocked by large Christmas trees and other display items outside shops on the fifth level. For Sheng Siong supermarket, an escape route was found to be blocked by wooden pallets and goods. The supermarket's assistant manager Mr Yean Fook Yee said a lot of stock had been imported in view of the upcoming festivities. He said that staff had been told to move the goods but may have neglected to do so as they were too busy that night. SCDF officers were later joined by the Police to conduct checks at nighspots Attica, Club Rebel, Zirca and Shanghai Dolly. Attica was fined $500 for a large fan blocking an important exit. At Club Rebel, a common area was found to have been converted into a storage area. The club was handed a Notice of Fire Safety Offence, which carries a composition fine of up to $500. Zirca and Shanghai Dolly had no fire safety violations. More than 650 checks at hotels, shopping centres and entertainment outlets have been conducted by SCDF in the first 10 months of 2011. SCDF warned building owners to be more vigilant in ensuring fire safety standards are maintained, especially during the year-end festive period when there may be an increase in customer traffic. yamadak@sph.com.sg