SINGAPORE — Six people were injured after two shophouse units partially collapsed in Syed Alwi Road after a gas explosion in the early hours of Oct 8.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said in a Facebook post at about 7am that they were alerted at about 1.30am at 84 and 85 Syed Alwi Road.

According to checks online, the former location houses Paakashala Singapore, a vegetarian Indian restaurant, while the latter, Nirja Mega Mart.

The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) said in a Facebook post at around 9.30am it was alerted to a suspected gas explosion incident.

It said its engineers were sent to assess the structural integrity of the shophouse units and the adjacent buildings.

It added: "The rear part of the two shophouse units have partially collapsed. The front facade and staircase of unit 84 were also damaged by the explosion.

"The other adjacent buildings were not affected by the explosion and are safe."

BCA engineers have told the owners to put in place immediate safety measures to cordon off the two units from public access.

Two orders — Dangerous Building and Closure — have been served by the BCA to the owners of the two shophouse units to close off the buildings.

BCA said they must appoint a professional engineer to investigate the incident and recommend permanent rectification measures to be carried out.

When The Straits Times arrived at the scene at about 9am, a cordon was put up to cover the adjacent units, and the alleyway behind the affected building.

Phillip Hotel, which is behind the scene at Desker Road, also had glass shattered from one of its windows.

SCDF said it had immediately conducted a search of the area to check if anyone was trapped under the debris. Two search dogs and a drone were also used.

SCDF added firefighters rescued someone from the second floor of unit 84, using a ladder, as a blocked staircase prevented that person's escape.

SCDF said that as some passers-by had reportedly heard a loud blast during the incident, a firefighting machine was used to disperse any potential build-up of flammable gases using its water mist spray.

No one was found trapped under the debris.

Two people suffered minor injuries and were taken to Singapore General Hospital and Tan Tock Seng Hospital, while four others also sustained minor injuries, but declined to be taken to hospital.

Netizen Qristal Adrianna was live-streaming on Facebook at about 1.20am when the incident happened.

As ambulance sirens sounded in the background, a woman can be heard saying that an explosion happened at a restaurant next to Mustafa Centre.

Part of the one-lane road next to the units was also blocked by a crowd of onlookers due to the commotion.

This article was first published in The Straits Times. Permission required for reproduction.