2 days ago
Debris from condominium project hits Bukit Damansara house, injuring occupants
KUALA LUMPUR: A house in Bukit Damansara was severely damaged yesterday when construction debris from a nearby condominium project crashed through its roof.
The incident occurred at around 6pm.
Shaik Azrul Shaik Daud, 52, said his sister was injured after debris struck the upstairs room.
"When she heard a loud noise, she leapt from the bed.
"The construction slab and rocks fell on the roof and crashed into the room.
"If she had leapt a second later, she could have been seriously injured," he said when met at the house at Jalan Setiakasih 6.
He said his sister sustained injuries to her nose and head.
"Also at the house during the incident were his 89-year-old father, 79-year-old mother, his daughter and a maid.
The impact damaged several parts of the home, including the porch awning, a ground-floor room and its toilet, as well as a room and the master bedroom's toilet on the first floor.
"It also damaged the incoming water pipe outside the house," he said, with losses estimated at around RM200,000.
Recalling the incident, Shaik Azrul said he was at his office in Damansara Perdana when he received a call from his daughter asking him to come home immediately.
"I asked her what happened and she said some rocks had fallen on the house from the neighbouring construction site."
He said that after checking further with his brother, they noticed a platform at the construction site jutting out from the building.
"From the naked eye, we could see the platform was dented.
"There was still some debris hanging on it, and there was a possibility it could fall again.
"We believe the platform gave way, probably due to overloading of construction slabs or debris."
He said representatives from Kuala Lumpur City Hall, the Construction Industry Development Board, and the Department of Occupational Safety and Health visited the house earlier today to assess the damage.
"All three parties have issued a stop-work order immediately.
"They have instructed the main contractor and the developer to provide a detailed report on it," he said.
He said City Hall had instructed the developer and main contractor to assess the damage and carry out rectification works immediately.
"We were informed that the stop-work order will not be lifted until the rectification works are completed.
"We were also told that the City Hall is taking stern action against the developer and the main contractor, as the incident resulted in injuries to the house occupants."
Shaik Azrul said a police report was lodged yesterday, and his sister went to a clinic for a check-up this morning.
He said the family's pregnant pet cat, believed to have been near the site of impact, was found injured.
"We saw the cat dragging itself across the floor as its back was injured," he said, adding the cat was later put to sleep due to the severity of its injuries.
Asked if the family is considering legal action, Shaik Azrul said:
"After discussing the matter, we believe this is a case of pure negligence on the part of the developer.
"The developer has to be held responsible.
"Therefore, we are exploring possible legal angles.
