--- title: "'I thought it was bomb': 2 Little India shophouses closed off after suspected gas explosion, 6 injured" url: "/singapore-seen/i-thought-it-was-bomb-little-india-shophouses-closed-off-after-suspected-gas" published: "2024-10-08T02:20:24.000Z" updated: "2024-10-09T02:03:34.000Z" section: "Singapore Seen" authors: ["Ong Su Mann"] --- # 'I thought it was bomb': 2 Little India shophouses closed off after suspected gas explosion, 6 injured *Six people suffered injuries after two two-storey shophouse units had partially collapsed in Little India in the early hours of Oct 8. * Six people suffered injuries after two two-storey shophouse units had partially collapsed in Little India in the early hours of Oct 8. In a Facebook post, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it was alerted to the incident at 84 and 85 Syed Alwi Road at 1.30am. [Collapsed Structure @ 84 & 85, Syed Alwi Road] Earlier this morning (8 October 2024) at about 1:30am, SCDF was alerted... Posted by Singapore Civil Defence Force on Monday 7 October 2024   Upon arrival, SCDF immediately commenced a search of the area to ascertain if anyone was trapped under the debris. Two search dogs and a drone were also deployed to augment the search operation. As some passers-by had reportedly heard a loud blast during the incident, a firefighting machine was deployed as a precautionary measure, to disperse any potential build up of flammable gases using its water mist spray function. In a livestream from the area, Facebook user Qristal Adrianna said she had heard an explosion. Explosion Posted by Qristal Adrianna on Monday 7 October 2024   "I thought it was a bomb," said the make-up artist, who shared videos of the debris on the road after the collapse. I'm glad I called the police and they arrived so quickly. Alhamdullilah #gasexplosion #syedalwiroad #singapore #cna Posted by Qristal Adrianna on Monday 7 October 2024   A person was unable to evacuate from the second floor of one of the shophouses due to a blocked staircase and was rescued by firefighters using a ladder. SCDF said no one was found trapped under the debris. Two people were assessed by paramedics for minor injuries and taken to Singapore General Hospital and Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Four others were assessed for minor injuries but declined to be taken to the hospital. Building and Construction Authority (BCA) said on Facebook that after it was alerted to the suspected gas explosion, engineers were deployed to assess the structural integrity of the two shophouses and the adjacent buildings. "The rear part of the two shophouse units have partially collapsed. The front façade and staircase of unit 84 were also damaged by the explosion. The other adjacent buildings were not affected by the explosion and are safe," said BCA. BCA also served Dangerous Building Order and Closure Order to the respective owners of the two shophouse units to close off the buildings. Earlier this morning on 8 October 2024, BCA was alerted to a suspected gas explosion incident where two 2-storey... Posted by Building and Construction Authority (Singapore) on Monday 7 October 2024   SCDF added that preliminary fire investigation findings indicated that a likely build-up of flammable gas in the restaurant at 84 Syed Alwi Road led to the blast and partial collapse of both shophouses. .