The National Gallery Singapore has partially reopened to the public following an electrical fire that broke out on Tuesday morning, with officials confirming that no artworks were damaged and no injuries occurred during the incident. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) responded to the emergency at approximately 9:05 a.m. after receiving reports of a fire at the gallery's location on Saint Andrew's Road.
The fire originated from an electrical control panel located on the first level within staff access areas, according to SCDF officials. The blaze was quickly extinguished by the premises' company emergency response team using dry powder fire extinguishers before emergency services arrived on scene. Gallery management praised the swift response, noting that the situation was brought under control rapidly and effectively.
As a precautionary measure, all staff members and visitors were promptly evacuated from the building while authorities conducted thorough safety inspections. The SCDF performed comprehensive checks throughout the facility to ensure the safety of all areas before allowing any sections to reopen to the public. Gallery officials emphasized that the safety of visitors, staff, and the extensive art collections remains their highest priority.
By Tuesday afternoon, significant portions of the gallery had been cleared for reopening. The City Hall Wing and Padang Atrium were declared safe following the thorough inspections and reopened to visitors at 12:00 p.m. the same day. However, the former Supreme Court Wing remained closed to facilitate ongoing investigations and was scheduled to reopen to the public on Wednesday, September 10.
The incident caused some disruptions to the gallery's scheduled programming. A lunchtime screening at the Ngee Ann Kongsi Auditorium planned for 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday was cancelled as a result of the morning's events. However, gallery officials confirmed that two evening screenings scheduled for 8:00 p.m. the same day would proceed as planned, demonstrating the facility's quick recovery from the incident.
The cause of the electrical fire remains under investigation by relevant authorities. Gallery management has been transparent in their communications with the public, providing regular updates throughout the day and expressing gratitude for the public's concern and understanding during the temporary closure. For ongoing updates, visitors are encouraged to contact the gallery's information hotline at 6271 7000 or check their official website and social media platforms.
The National Gallery Singapore, which opened to the public in 2015, is housed within the historic former Supreme Court and City Hall buildings. The institution holds the distinction of displaying the world's largest public collection of Singapore and Southeast Asian modern art, making the preservation of its collections during emergencies a matter of significant cultural importance. The successful protection of all artworks during Tuesday's incident demonstrates the effectiveness of the gallery's safety protocols and emergency response procedures.
