Syed Alwi Road shophouses collapsed due to suspected gas explosion: BCA

A suspected gas explosion was behind the partial collapse of the two shophouse units at 84 and 85 Syed Alwi Road early on Oct. 8, said the Building and Construction Authority (BCA).

The rear parts of both units were found to have partially collapsed, and the explosion damaged the front facade and staircase of one of the units.

Six people were also injured in the collapse.

Other adjacent buildings were not affected by the explosion and are safe, a BCA spokesperson told Mothership.

For safety reasons, BCA engineers who were deployed on-site to assess the damage have instructed the owners to cordon off the two units from public access.

BCA said they also served Dangerous Building Orders and Closure Orders to the respective owners of the two shophouse units to close off the buildings.

The owners are also required to immediately appoint a Professional Engineer to advise on immediate precautionary measures, carry out detailed investigations, and recommend rectification measures, the spokesperson said.

In a later update, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said that a likely buildup of flammable gas within 84 Syed Alwi Road, which operated as a restaurant, led to the blast and partial collapse of both units at 84 & 85 Syed Alwi Road.

SCDF said that their personnel are still at the incident site and that no flammable gas is being detected at the incident site.

The aftermath

When Mothership went down to the scene later in the morning on Oct. 8, police officers, as well as officers in safety gear, were present.

Denise Phua, Member of Parliament for the Jalan Besar Group Representative Constituency and Mayor of the Central Singapore District, was also there.

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Top image via Hidayat Anuar