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SINGAPORE: Parts of the ceiling in the basement of Lucky Plaza collapsed on Monday (Apr 6).<\/p>\n
A security guard told CNA that small pieces of debris began falling from the ceiling at about 7.45am, prompting them to quickly cordon off the area.<\/p>\n
He added that about an hour later, “bigger parts” of the ceiling came down.<\/p>\n
When CNA arrived at the mall at 1.25pm, the area where the ceiling had collapsed at the first basement level had been covered with translucent sheeting, and a cordon was in place around the area.<\/p>\n
A second cordon had also been set up at the top of the stairs on the first floor.<\/p>\n
At least two security guards were stationed around the area.<\/p>\n
A retail staff member working at a beauty and cosmetics shop in the mall, who did not want to be named, said that when she arrived for work at about 10am, the ceiling had already collapsed.<\/p>\n
She saw wires hanging down, along with water dripping and debris on the ground.<\/p>\n
“It was fortunate it did not happen later in the day when there would be more people.”<\/p>\n
Although the situation has remained calm, she said she is concerned about footfall to the shop today.<\/p>\n
“We are already seeing fewer customers today,” she said.<\/p>\n
A retail staff member at an electronics shop near the cordoned-off area, who declined to be named, said that in the nearly four hours since it opened, there were no customers.<\/p>\n
He added that the shop would typically have about 20 paying customers by 2pm.<\/p>\n
Asked if he was worried about sales for the rest of the day, he said: “Of course.”<\/p>\n
At about 2.18pm, staff from two shops on the left side of the cordoned-off area were seen clearing items from the floor and mopping up water. They told CNA that water had streamed down from the affected area.<\/p>\n
CNA has reached out to the authorities, as well as Lucky Plaza, for more information.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n