SINGAPORE - A hawker was arrested after attempting to attack a hawker couple with a knife at a Tampines coffee shop on Thursday (Aug 11) night.

Police received a call for help at about 10.30pm regarding the incident at Block 844, Tampines Street 82.

The 60-year-old Hokkien prawn mee hawker, Sia Chye Teck, turned on a husband and wife duo selling ngoh hiang at the same coffee shop, Shin Min Daily News reported.

However, Mr Ng Sian Koon, 52, and his wife, Madam Ong Bee Hoon, 51, sustained only minor injuries, as they managed to ward off the attacker.

Police confirmed with The Straits Times that a 60-year-old man was arrested in relation to the case of "voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous means".

Two men and a woman were taken conscious to Changi General Hospital, said police.

The son of the couple who were attacked told Shin Min that Sia tripped on his father's foot, but the hawker, nicknamed "Ah Gou", claimed that he was kicked.

The two hawkers began tussling, and Mdm Ong was knocked down in the struggle.

Sia went to his stall and returned with a knife, which he wielded at Mr Ng.

The ngoh hiang hawker used a plastic bin to shield himself from the knife, then rushed at Sia and hugged him.

His son took the opportunity to take the knife from Sia. In the process, Mr Ng injured his palm and Mdm Ong sprained her hand, Shin Min reported.

They have been selling ngoh hiang in the area for 17 years and their stall is popular with the residents, the report added.

Police investigations are ongoing.