Kota Kinabalu: A major tragedy was averted at the Segama four-storey shoplots Friday night when an entire first floor section that was part of a two-floor restaurant gave way after diners had left.
A woman, Wang Wei, 55, fractured her left leg and had to be retrieved from under the rubble while her husband, Yu Ping An, 58, suffered minor injuries in the 7.50pm incident.
They were helping their son operate the Chinese Halal restaurant. Fortunately, the customers had left after breaking their fast there.
Witnesses reported hearing a loud crash as the floor gave way, sending debris crashing onto the eatery below.
The Fire and Rescue Department received an emergency call at 8pm and dispatched personnel to the scene, arriving just five minutes later.
They managed to retrieve the woman who was trapped under the concrete debris. She was transported to Queen Elizabeth Hospital by the public.
“The rescue team conducted thorough inspections and directed all occupants to evacuate the building immediately,” said its Operations Chief Masri Gari.
A total of 13 firefighters from the Kota Kinabalu Fire and Rescue Station responded, along with six police officers and three medical personnel.
The building, built in 1976 comprising some 108 shoplots, reportedly had signs of structural deterioration over its 49-year history.
Previous incidents involved falling corridor and balcony slabs, but this is the first a complete floor collapsed.
It is believed that the use of sea sand in the construction may have contributed to the structure’s instability over the years due to salinity affecting the steel.
The third and fourth floors house some 11 rooms each, with over 40 residents in total.
Among those evacuated was Adeline, who has stayed on the third floor since last year.
Another tenant, Janet, said she had lived on the fourth floor with her family for several years.
The operation was declared under control by 8.30pm and ended at 9.38pm after authorities confirmed no further immediate danger.
