National Gallery Singapore reopens partially After Morning Fire Forces Evacuation
The National Gallery Singapore has reopened part of its premises just hours after a morning fire prompted a full evacuation. Authorities confirmed that the blaze, which broke out in a staff-only area, caused no injuries or damage to artworks.
- Fire involving an electrical control panel triggered full evacuation at 9am.
- City Hall Wing and Padang Atrium reopened by noon; Supreme Court Wing to reopen on 10 Sept.
- No injuries or artwork damage reported; investigations ongoing.
SINGAPORE — The National Gallery Singapore partially reopened on 9 September after a morning fire led to the evacuation of all staff and visitors.
The gallery announced that its City Hall Wing and Padang Atrium reopened at 12pm after clearance from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). The former Supreme Court Wing will remain closed until investigations conclude and is expected to reopen on 10 September.
Fire contained in staff-only area
The incident began at about 9.05am, when SCDF received an alert regarding a fire at 1 Saint Andrew’s Road. According to SCDF, the blaze involved an electrical control panel located on level one.
The fire was put out before firefighters arrived, thanks to the building’s company emergency response team (CERT), which used a dry powder extinguisher to contain the flames.
SCDF confirmed that no one was injured and that the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Evacuation and safety measures
As a precaution, all visitors and employees were evacuated from the premises. The gallery emphasised that the affected area was restricted to staff access only, ensuring that visitors were not in immediate danger.
“No artworks were damaged,” the gallery said in a statement, adding that the safety of people and collections remained its “top priority.”
Gallery programmes were temporarily disrupted, including the cancellation of a lunchtime film screening at the Ngee Ann Kongsi Auditorium that had been scheduled for 12.30pm.
Operations gradually resuming
The gallery stated that evening screenings and other events would proceed based on the findings of safety checks. Members of the public were advised to monitor the gallery’s website, hotline, and social media channels for updates.
Iconic national institution
Opened in 2015, the National Gallery Singapore is housed in the restored former Supreme Court and City Hall buildings. It holds the world’s largest public collection of Singaporean and Southeast Asian modern art, drawing both local and international visitors.
The gallery’s swift response and safety measures were commended by visitors on social media, who praised staff for maintaining calm during the evacuation.
Authorities have reiterated that there is no ongoing fire risk, and operations are expected to return to normal by 10 September once investigations into the electrical fault are completed.
