Two shophouses located at 84 and 85 Syed Alwi Road in Singapore’s Little India experienced a partial collapse early on Tuesday morning. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) reported that they were alerted to the incident at approximately 1:30 AM. Initial investigations suggest that the collapse may have been caused by a gas explosion. Emergency responders were quick to arrive on the scene to assess the situation and ensure public safety.
According to a Facebook post by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), six people were injured in the partial collapse. Of the injured, two were rushed to the hospital for further treatment, while four others received on-site medical care. Firefighters responded swiftly, deploying search dogs and a drone to ensure no individuals were trapped beneath the wreckage.
One man was rescued from the second floor of Paakashala Singapore, an Indian vegetarian restaurant located at 84 Syed Alwi Road. He had been unable to exit the building as the stairway was blocked.
The Royal India Hotel, situated three shophouses away from the collapsed buildings, evacuated about 60 guests around 1 AM, according to a statement given to CNA. Guests were only permitted to re-enter their rooms around 5 AM.
Similarly, the Arianna Hotel, located adjacent to 85 Syed Alwi Road, made accommodations for its guests by extending the checkout time from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Wong Pek Onn, the front desk receptionist of the Arianna Hotel, explained to CNA that the extension was offered to allow guests to relax following the incident.
There was no visible damage to either hotel, although Wong mentioned that SCDF personnel were inspecting the Arianna Hotel. When CNA inquired further, both hotel receptionists confirmed that business had resumed as usual. Nirja Mega Mart, located at No. 85 Syed Alwi Road and Paakashala Singapore, at No. 84, were both impacted by the incident, which partially destroyed sections of both shophouses.
Images from the scene showed wires hanging from the ceiling of Paakashala’s indoor hall, as well as significant damage to its open-air marquee. While Nirja Mega Mart was also affected, the damage was not as severe as that sustained by the restaurant.
The Building and Construction Authority (BCA), has since reassured the public that other structures in the vicinity were not compromised in the least.
The core reason for the collapse has not been finally determined by the SCDF while guaranteeing compliance with the safety standards in the area.
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