Australian killed in fire at kids' cooking school in Singapore
Authorities are investigating the blaze. (Supplied: Singapore Civil Defence Force)
In short:
An Australian has been killed in a fire at a kids' cooking school in Singapore.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the blaze, and whether there were "any fire safety non-compliances".
What's next?
The cooking school says it is providing "full cooperation and assistance" with the investigation.
Authorities are investigating after an Australian died in a fire at a Singapore kids' cooking school on Tuesday morning.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed it was providing consular assistance to the family of the victim who died in the blaze at Tomato Cooking School in central Singapore.
"We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time," a spokesperson said.
"Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment."
Local media in Singapore reported that the victim was a 10-year-old girl.
DFAT did not confirm the age or gender of the victim.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) were called to the blaze shortly before 10am, local time, where they found the fire "raging" on the second and third floors of a three-story shophouse.
Authorities said several people were trapped on a ledge outside the third-floor unit.
"Members of the public, including construction workers, used a metal scaffolding and a ladder to reach those stranded and brought a number of them to safety," the SCDF said in a post on Facebook.
Firefighters rescued those still stranded, using three water jets to swiftly extinguish the flames.
About 80 people were evacuated from the affected shophouse and nearby buildings, with five adults and 15 children taken to hospital.
Authorities said they were still conducting investigations at the premises to "determine the cause of the fire" and whether there were "any fire safety non-compliances".
"Preliminary findings are that the fire likely originated from an area used for storage on the second storey of the three-storey shophouse," the SCDF said on Facebook.
"Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing."
They said preliminary investigations had also revealed "fire safety non-compliances".
"[This included] unauthorised works involving the erection of partitions within the premises,"the statement said.
"SCDF takes a very serious view of fire safety non-compliances, as they pose significant risks to lives and property."
They said the "responsible entity" could face a fine of up to $200,000, imprisonment of up to 24 months, or both.
An Australian was killed in the fire. (Supplied: Singapore Civil Defence Force)
In an official statement on Facebook, the Tomato Cooking School said it was "deeply saddened and shocked" by the fire.
"Our thoughts are with all the families and individuals affected during this difficult time," they said.
"The circumstances that led to the fire is currently under investigation by the relevant authorities.
"We are providing our full cooperation and assistance with the ongoing investigation."
The school said their priority remained the "safety and wellbeing" of everyone involved.
"We will continue to work closely with the authorities and will provide updates when appropriate," they said.
"We kindly ask for respect and privacy for the affected families as the investigation progresses.
"We cannot express our sadness in words for the affected families and what they are going through."