[VIDEO] Illegal Jitra Mall Collapsed Due To Overload

Excessive loading has been cited as a reason for the collapse of the wall of an illegal mall here.

According to Kedah Housing and Local Government, Water Supply and Water Resources Committee chairman Badrul Hisham Hashim, an initial probe revealed that the building structure could not support the renovations made when it was illegally converted to a mall.

malaysiasun.com

“The building was meant as a storage facility but was not strong enough to support subsequent renovations when the developer turned it into a mall,” he said at the site of the incident at the Darulaman Industry Area here.

Badrul Hisham said the mall has no Certificate of Fitness and the Kubang Pasu Municipal Council (MDKP) was investigating the developer for misusing the building-planning permit approved for a storage facility.

Part of the ceiling and perimeter wall of a shopping complex at the Bandar Darul Aman Industrial Complex here, which only began operations in July, collapsed at 8.40am today.

fz.com

The concrete wall of a building, believed to have been illegally turned into a shopping mall, collapsed along with its roof and ceiling.

youtube.com

Fortunately, the incident occurred at about 8.45am Tuesday, an hour before the mall opened for business.

No casualties were reported as the shopping complex, Borong C-Mart, only opens to the public at 10am daily.

fz.com

Two maintenance workers conducting a routine inspection on the CMart Wholesale outlet escaped unhurt.

A maintenance worker, Abdul Rohim Talib, 33, said he entered the building with a friend to open the office and turn on the lights at 8.30am.

malaysiaedition.net

He said he heard a cracking sound before he saw the ceiling about five metres from where he stood collapsing. "We dashed out quickly through the nearest door to save ourselves. From outside, I saw part of the wall also collapsing".

fz.com

Kubang Pasu municipal council president Zahari Ismail said the building was to be used only for storage purposes, as per the business licence, and not as a mall. He said the complex had been ordered to be closed.

asiaone.com

He said the owner of the building prior to this had obtained permission to build a factory but had instead constructed a commercial building. He said the council would take legal action against the owner for breaching the conditions stipulated by the council.

“The 30 stalls located in front of the mall were also ordered to cease operations while investigations are being conducted,” he said at the scene.

Jitra Fire Station operation chief Mohamad Darus said his personnel were checking to ascertain if the materials used could have led to the collapse.
“It was raining heavily last night,” he added.

An unused bridge after the ELITE Highway toll in Cyberjaya collapsed this afternoon at around 12.40pm, 28 February 2013. The first few pictures of the collapsed bridge surfaced on Twitter and Facebook, with rumours of it being an old report, but it was confirmed later on by news sources. What was the cause of the collapse? Will this collapse turn political? [CLICK FOR FULL STORY]

says.com

Get all latest news here on SAYS (@SAYSdotMY). Tweet us and let us know what's happening around you! We'll feature it on SAYS.

twitter.com

SAYS is Malaysia's social news network. Find today's must-share stories, news and videos everyday, produce and brought to you by Malaysian social media users!

facebook.com