Man suspected of involvement in Jurong West market fire arrested

A large fire broke out at the wet market and coffee shop at Block 493 Jurong West Street 41 on Oct 11, 2016. ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN

SINGAPORE - A man was arrested on Thursday (Oct 13) for his suspected involvement in a fire that destroyed two coffee shops and a wet market at Jurong West Street 41.

Police said that the 41-year-old suspect was arrested for a case of "mischief by fire". He was arrested on Thursday along Jurong West Street 41.

If found guilty of mischief by fire with intent to destroy a building, he can be jailed for life, or imprisoned for up to 10 years and fined.

The fire at Block 493, Jurong West Street 41, broke out in the early hours of Tuesday (Oct 11). It caused the roof of the wet market to collapse.

About 300 residents from the surrounding blocks had to be evacuated, and the fire has affected the livelihoods of dozens of stallholders.

Many stalls and equipment, including tables, chairs and refrigerators, were damaged.

A new market "may take a year-plus to build", Jurong GRC MP Ang Wei Neng said on Thursday night.

"This is a serious crime which had resulted in extensive damage to property and loss of income to innocent victims," said Commander of Jurong Division Koh Wei Keong. "The police have zero tolerance for such lawless acts and will ensure that perpetrators are dealt with to the fullest extent of the law."

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