Shocked residents said the building on Sunguvar Lane collapsed due to poor maintenance and claimed that most of the houses were constructed several years ago and accommodated many families in cramped little spaces.
According to residents in Sunguvar Lane, there were about 15 to 20 houses in the locality with a maximum of three floors. But each house had at least 3 to 7 families living in tiny rooms. “I have been living here for 15 years. Though the number of houses are less and very old, many families have been living here. There are three families in the one-storey building I live,” said Mohanapriya. “There is no foundation for the house that collapsed. Also, they would not have maintained it properly when it required alterations,” she added.
A resident, who kept wandering around the building that collapsed to see the rescue work, said they never expected the incident, though they knew that the house was old. “I fear living in the area as the houses here are old,” said Lakshmi, a resident. Police said many houses in Sunguvar Lane were quite old and made to look new, while the houses on Sunguvar Street that runs parallel had many recently built structures. Though dwelling units that were rented out were big enough to house only three inmates, the rents seemed to be high, as residents claimed it was because of the area.
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