Roof partially collapses at Sin Ming Buddhist monastery; one person assessed for minor injuries
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SINGAPORE – Two buildings at Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery in the Sin Ming area have been closed off from public access after sections of the roof tiles and the supporting roof frame of one of the structures fell off on Nov 26.
The incident happened at about 8pm at the Venerable Hong Choon Memorial Hall in the central part of the compound, the monastery said in a media reply.
The space was unoccupied at the time of the incident and no activities were taking place near the area, a spokesperson added.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force, which was alerted at about 8.25pm, assessed one person for minor injuries, who declined to be taken to the hospital.
It added that its firefighters and rescuers from the Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team and search canines from its search platoon were deployed to the scene.
Photos taken at the monastery show a large exposed rooftop section following the collapse, as well as large amounts of debris strewn across the ground.
In response to queries, a Building and Construction Authority (BCA) spokesperson said windows of an adjacent building were also damaged by the fallen debris from the four-storey memorial hall.
The structural integrity of the two buildings was not affected, but access to the public has been closed off for safety, the spokesperson said.
“BCA is serving an order to the building owner to appoint a professional engineer to investigate the cause of the collapse, advise on the necessary precautionary measures to obviate any immediate danger, and recommend permanent rectification works,” the spokesperson added.
Construction of the memorial hall was completed in 2003 and the monastery is working closely with the authorities in the ongoing investigations into the incident, the monastery’s spokesperson said.
One person was assessed for minor injuries, but declined to be taken to hospital.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
All prayer activities will continue as scheduled, but movements in certain areas may be temporarily adjusted to maintain a safe environment for devotees, volunteers and staff, the spokesperson added.
This includes the Grand Prayer that Blesses and Benefits All Sentient Beings that began on Nov 23 and ends on Nov 30.
One prayer shrine originally set up in the affected building has been safely relocated, and prayers are continuing without disruptions.
The structural integrity of the two buildings was not affected, but access to the public has been closed off for safety.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
