Half of Smith St in Chinatown has been converted into the Chinatown Food Street, a very popular place for dining alfresco. The food street is flanked by two rows of shophouses that are two- or three-storeys high. The upper levels are accessed by a side wooden staircase, and are rented to associations that hold regular activities like talent shows and karaoke. Being an attendee at one of these activities, I have come to realise that these shophouses could be death traps. A fire could break out on the ground floor, perhaps caused by the gas tanks the eateries and hawkers use for cooking. The wooden staircase could catch fire, rending the occupants on the upper floor unable to escape, as there is no other exit to the building. I hope some form of fire prevention will be put in place. Perhaps URA and SCDF could consider the following.... Continue Reading