A lift control panel on the 16th floor of a Bencoolen hotel attempted a dramatic suicide yesterday, triggering a minor electrical fire and a massive evacuation.

Dozens of guests were herded toward a nearby plaza, where they promptly ignored the heat to check if the fire’s timestamp was a lucky omen.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force arrived to find a crowd more concerned with the "huat" potential of the disaster than their own singed eyebrows.

"Wah lao, the smoke smell so jialat, must be worth at least one full refund," grumbled one disgruntled auntie.

"I stand here sweat like pig for what? If no insurance payout, this staycation really damn rugi!"