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Leaky water pipe caused JEM ceiling collapse: BCA

SINGAPORE — The collapse of a false ceiling inside the JEM shopping mall yesterday (Sept 18) evening was caused by a leaking water pipe, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) said this morning.

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SINGAPORE — The collapse of a false ceiling inside the JEM shopping mall yesterday (Sept 18) evening was caused by a leaking water pipe, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) said this morning.

A piece false ceiling approximately 50m long and 4m wide collapse on the first floor of the mall at around 10pm yesterday. Three women sustained minor injuries in incident and were sent to hospital.

Site inspections carried out by BCA engineers early this morning determined that there was a leak in a water-pipe and the weight of the water that collected on the false ceiling was the likely cause of the collapse.

The BCA said that the structural integrity of the building is not affected but nevertheless ordered the building owner, Land Lease, to close off the affected area and to get a Professional Engineer (PE) to check all the false ceilings in the mall and to further investigate the nature of yesterday’s false ceiling collapse.

The building owner has also asked its consultants to check the water pipes for any other signs of leakage, the BCA added.

In a statement issued earlier today, mall operator Lend Lease said that rectification works, which include water-damaged lifts and escalators, have commenced. Lend Lease also said JEM will remain closed tomorrow (Sept 20) and that the mall will not reopen until the safety checks and tests and all rectification works are completed.

The mall in Jurong East was closed this morning and tenants were allowed into the building under supervision to move merchandise and valuables out of their shops.

TODAY reporters at the site this morning observed large puddles of water inside the mall and in the basement car park. Signs were posted at the mall entrances stating: “We are not open today.”

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