Close call: A combo photograph of the affected double-storey units at 84 and 85 Syed Alwi Road. — The Straits Times/ANN
SIX people were injured after two shophouse units partially collapsed in Syed Alwi Road following a gas explosion.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) reported via a Facebook post early yesterday morning that they received an alert at 1.30am regarding incidents at 84 and 85 Syed Alwi Road.
According to checks online, the former location houses Paakashala Singapore, a vegetarian Indian restaurant, while the latter, Nirja Mega Mart.
In an update, SCDF said preliminary investigations indicate that a likely build-up of flammable gas within unit 84, which is a restaurant, led to the blast and partial collapse of both structures.
The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) said in a Facebook post that it was alerted to a suspected gas explosion incident in the early hours yesterday.
It said its engineers assessed the structural integrity of the shophouse units and the adjacent buildings. It added: “The rear parts of the two shophouse units have partially collapsed. The front facade and staircase of unit 84 were also damaged by the explosion.
“The other adjacent buildings were not affected by the explosion and are safe.”
BCA engineers have told the owners to put in place immediate safety measures to cordon off the two units from public access.
Two orders – Dangerous Building and Closure – have been served by the BCA to the owners of the two shophouse units to close off the buildings.
BCA said they must appoint a professional engineer to investigate the incident and recommend permanent rectification measures to be carried out.
When The Straits Times arrived at about 9am, a cordon was put up to cover the adjacent units and the alleyway behind them.
Denise Phua, who is Mayor of Central Singapore Community Development Council (CDC) and MP for Jalan Besar GRC, was at the scene to survey the damage.
She said her key concern was to ensure those injured were taken care of and that the Central CDC would look into the incident.
Phua added that two passengers in Grab vehicles were also affected.
She said, “They were not injured, but mildly affected. They didn’t want any medical assistance.”
A tourist from China, who wanted to be known only as Lee, 40, who is staying at the L Hotel at 51 Desker Road, was drinking beer when he heard the crash at around 1am.
He said, “It was so loud, I felt the floorboards shake. I thought it was a bomb or an explosion. I was terrified it might have been a terrorist attack.”
Arianna Hotel’s receptionist, who wanted to be known only as Wong, 52, said he was shocked to see the whole road cordoned off when he arrived for work in the morning.
SCDF told him he might have to evacuate the hotel’s occupants.
Wong said, “I’ve never experienced such a thing before.”
Arianna Hotel is located at 83 Syed Alwi Road.
SCDF said two search dogs and a drone were used to check if anyone was trapped under the debris.
Firefighters rescued a unit 84 second-floor resident using a ladder because a blocked staircase prevented the person from escaping.
SCDF added a firefighting machine was used to disperse any potential build-up of flammable gases with its water mist spray.
No one was trapped under the debris.
Two people suffered minor injuries and were taken to Singapore General Hospital and Tan Tock Seng Hospital, while four others sustained minor injuries, but declined to be taken to hospital. — The Straits Times/ANN
