National Gallery Singapore Reopens After Staff Area Fire

SINGAPORE, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- The National Gallery Singapore reopened its doors on Wednesday, marking a return to normal operations after a fire incident that occurred on Tuesday morning. The fire, which originated in a staff area within the gallery complex, necessitated a temporary closure of the renowned art institution.

The swift response of emergency services ensured that the fire was quickly contained. The National Gallery confirmed in a Facebook post that there were no injuries sustained as a result of the incident. A significant relief was the assurance that none of the valuable artworks housed within the gallery were affected by the fire.

Following the initial containment and assessment of the situation, the gallery initiated a phased reopening. Certain sections of the gallery were reopened to the public on Tuesday, allowing visitors limited access. The full reopening of the entire gallery complex was achieved on Wednesday, allowing for a complete resumption of normal operations.

As a crucial safety measure, all staff members and visitors present at the gallery were promptly evacuated on Tuesday morning. The Singapore Civil Defence Force conducted comprehensive inspections of the premises to ensure the safety of the structure and its occupants. The gallery was subsequently declared safe for public access, a notice confirming this was posted on the official website. This declaration allowed for the swift and safe resumption of the gallery's activities, allowing visitors to once again experience the diverse collection of Southeast Asian art.