Bugis coffee shop hawkers argue over origin of rat in shared stall, police step in

Editor's note: This article previously stated that the incident took place at 3838 Eating Place. This is incorrect. We have amended the information and are sorry for the error.

Two vendors sharing a stall in a Bugis coffee shop got into a squabble reportedly over the source of a rat seen in their shared stall space.

The incident took place at around 10am on Nov. 17 at Block 269B Queen Street, which is opposite Bugis+ shopping mall.

A female vendor claimed that a male vendor had hit her on the back and she called the police.

Fought over rats

The female vendor, surnamed Zhao (transliteration), who operates the Shan Yuan Teochew Kway Teow Mee stall, called the police on the male vendor, who operates the Bukit Purmei Lor Mee stall next to her, Shin Min Daily News reported.

When Shin Min reporters arrived at the scene, several police officers were already present.

Zhao was seated down when speaking to the police, while the male vendor was cooking noodles at his stall.

Rat appeared out of nowhere

The male vendor, who did not want to be named, said he and his wife were opening their stall on the morning of Nov. 17.

A rat suddenly ran into the stall and ran past his wife's feet.

He said: "I believe the rat came from the kway teow stall next door. I’ve seen cockroaches and rats before, so I’m worried about hygiene."

"I kindly told her to be careful, but she wouldn’t admit the rat came from her stall and kept muttering to herself."

Light pat?

Unable to stand it, he went over and "patted" her shoulder.

He said: "I didn't hit her hard. If I had, would she still be standing there?"

In response, the female vendor said: "I was washing dishes when he suddenly hit me hard on the back, causing me to lose my balance and fall forward. Luckily, the sink stopped me from falling."

She said she called the police afterwards.

She added: "I think we can talk things out calmly, how could you resort to violence?"

Not first fight

According to Shin Min's observations, both stalls share the same stall space.

Zhao said she has had arguments with the other stall vendor previously over hygiene issues.

She said the other party had blamed her for hygiene issues, but she felt it was inevitable for rats to appear when selling food and added that she cleans up daily before leaving.

A dessert stall owner mentioned hearing other people talking about rats in the coffee shop, but not having personally witnessed it.

"Attracting rats is inevitable when selling food," said the stall vendor. "But we always clean the place and I have never seen rats here."

Report lodged

In response to Mothership's queries, the police confirmed that a report was lodged.

Investigations are ongoing.

Top photos via Shin Min Daily News & stock image