HDC to check Sibu Jaya apartment safety

April 12, 2015

Firemen look at the deep crack on the ground floor that cut through the flat.

SIBU: Housing Development Corporation (HDC) is now checking the building structure and other units in the Sibu Jaya township apartment following the collapse of some portions of the ground floor unit caused by an explosion.

When contacted yesterday, Assistant Housing Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the inspections were to ascertain whether it is safe for dwelling.

“There was a slight collapse of some portion of the ground floor unit of HDC apartment in Sibu Jaya.

“We will let the authorities carry out the investigation.

We are looking into whether the building structure and other units in that building are safe for human habitation.

“If not, we will make arrangement to place the occupants in safe units,” Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman told thesundaypost.

The incident was believed to have happened around 2.30am yesterday. Several people were reported to be injured.

Police and Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) are investigating the cause of the explosion.

Abdul Karim reiterated: “The relevant authority is investigating and we will know the cause of it soon.

“Unconfirmed reports show that there’s a possibility that a blast from one of the units resulted in the collapse and cracked windows and walls.”

Meanwhile, Sibu Bomba zone chief Abdul Mutalib Rashid revealed that investigations were underway to determine the cause of the incident.

He said the forensic team was on site to investigate but added that he could not disclose further information as the investigation was still on-going.