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Tiong Bahru Air Raid Shelter

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Tiong Bahru Air Raid Shelter in Singapore, 6 May 2023

Tiong Bahru Air Raid Shelter is a converted air raid shelter built between 1939 and 1941 at block 78 within the Tiong Bahru neighbourhood in Singapore. The shelter is preserved and is part of a heritage trail of the neighbourhood.

Construction

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Tiong Bahru's block 78's semi-basement was to be playgrounds, however had an option to be converted into an air raid shelter in times of emergency.[1][2] The air raid shelter was converted from three play pavilions and four garages located at the semi-basement of block 78, which straddles Moh Guan Terrace and Guan Chuan Street.[3] The walls of the shelter are 19 inches thick, and the floor is made of concrete.[4] The shelters would cost $16,000 and could accommodate up to 2,000 people.[5]

Post–war

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In February 2012, it served as a museum for a short time before it was closed.[6] The shelter would remain closed to the public, with exception to those who are being brought on guided heritage tours.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "New block of flats". The Straits Times. 20 May 1940. p. 11 – via NewspaperSG.
  2. ^ "New block of Trust flats". The Straits Times. 4 April 1941. p. 10 – via NewspaperSG.
  3. ^ a b Wong, Wei Han (15 April 2013). "New heirtage trail launched at Tiong Bahru". Today. p. 18. Retrieved 8 May 2023 – via NewspaperSG.
  4. ^ "Raid shelter construction at Trust flats in Tiong Bahru". Straits Budget. 12 December 1940. p. 8 – via NewspaperSG.
  5. ^ "Shelter Plans For 2,000 At Tiong Bahru". The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser. 21 April 1941. p. 7.
  6. ^ "Converted bunkers". Today. 9 June 2012.
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