Richmond Fire-Rescue say they have a possible theory about the cause of the recent Yaohan Centre fire - a small electrical fire started by an appliance.
At around 5 a.m. on Jan. 1, there was fire at an antique shop on the second floor of the shopping mall, which set off the mall’s sprinkler system, causing water damage to neighbouring vendors and the food court seating area on the ground floor.
The water damage resulted in the temporary closure of the antique shop, a gift shop on the second floor and a roast meat restaurant on the ground floor.
“We have investigated the roof, the fibre…we believe it was some electrical wire containing a small appliance. The incident occurred in a small storage closet in the store,” said Peter Tellis, Richmond Fire-Rescue acting deputy chief.
“That was one possible theory… It was a little fire believed to be possibly caused by a small electrical fire.”
Tellis said there aren’t concerns about the mall’s electrical system and the fire report with the final cause will be made public soon.
The mall’s sprinkler system quickly put out the fire so it didn’t spread, and nobody was injured. The mall opened later that day, he added.
“This reinforces the great advantage of sprinkler systems and having sprinkler systems well-maintained,” said Tellis.
“So when the incident occurs, there's a greater chance that those systems are actively engaging and mitigating the incident…allowing them to get back into business very quickly.”
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