Partial collapse of Syed Alwi Road shophouses due to ‘suspected gas explosion’: BCA

SINGAPORE: The partial collapse of two shophouses along Syed Alwi Road on Tuesday (Oct 8) is suspected to be caused by a gas explosion, said the Building and Construction Authority (BCA).
“BCA was alerted to a suspected gas explosion incident where two two-storey shophouse units at 84 and 85 Syed Alwi Road had partially collapsed,” it said in a Facebook post on Tuesday morning.
In an update at around noon, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) added that preliminary findings indicate that a likely buildup of flammable gas in the first unit – a restaurant – led to the blast and collapse. 
BCA deployed engineers to assess the structural integrity of the shophouse units and the adjacent buildings after the incident.
“The rear part of the two shophouse units have partially collapsed,” it said.
“The front facade and staircase of unit 84 were also damaged by the suspected explosion. The other adjacent buildings were not affected by the suspected explosion and are safe.”
BCA said its engineers have instructed the owners to put in place immediate safety measures to cordon off the two units from public access.
It also served a Dangerous Building Order and Closure Order to the respective owners of the two shophouse units to close off the buildings.
“They are also required to immediately appoint a professional engineer to advise on the immediate precautionary measures to obviate the danger, carry out detailed investigations and recommend permanent rectification measures to be carried out,” said BCA.
Member of Parliament Denise Phua (PAP-Jalan Besar) visited the scene following the incident.
She was escorted behind the cordoned-off area by SCDF personnel to look at a damaged shophouse.
“According to SCDF, the nearby areas seem to be safe but they are going to validate it further and ensure that further checks are done in bright daylight,” she said, responding to questions from reporters about the structural integrity of other nearby shophouses.
“As of now … the two units that are affected are obviously not safe. The side buildings are considered safe for now, but that needs to be validated.”
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to reflect that BCA has changed its statement to indicate that the cause of the incident is “suspected” to be a gas explosion.