XN000022-1976-02-20 — Page 12

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1976

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BUI

BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS

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THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY DECLARED 12A CARPENTER ROAD, KOWLOON TO BE IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION, AT THE SAME TIME, IT DECLARED 18 AND 5A CARPENTER ROAD, 1 AND 1 A SAI TAU TSUEN SECOND STREET AND THE ROOF TOP STRUCTURE AT 3 SAI TAU TSUEN SECOND STREET, KOWLOON TO BE LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS.

IN A STATEMENT ISSUED THIS MORNING, THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR SAID THAT PARTIAL COLLAPSE OF A TIMBER FLOOR HAD OCCURRED AT 12A CARPENTER ROAD - A TIMBER FRAMED STRUCTURE.

DETAILED INSPECTION REVEALED THAT OTHER PORTIONS OF THIS BUILDING WERE DECAYED AND FURTHER COLLAPSE COULD OCCUR.

THERE IS NOW NO ALTERNATIVE BUT TO COMPLETE DEMOLITION OF THIS BUILDING, WHICH IS BEYOND REPAIR.

AN ADJOINING STRUCTURE AT 1B AND 5A CARPENTER ROAD, AND 1 AND 1A SAI TAU TSUEN SECOND STREET IS ALSO CONSTRUCTED OF TIMBER FRAMING WITH TIMBER FLOORS IN VARIOUS STAGES OF DETERIORATION, AND THIS SITUATION ALSO APPLIES TO THE ROOF TOP STRUCTURE, INCLUDING THE KITCHEN, AT 3 SAI TAU TSUEN SECOND STREET,

NOT ONE PORTION OF THESE STRUCTURES CAN BE READILY DEMOLISHED INDEPENDENTLY.

IN VIEW OF THE POSSIBILITY OF FURTHER PROGRESSIVE COLLAPSE NOTICES OF INTENTION WERE POSTED TODAY TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS IN KOWLOON DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 A.M. ON MARCH 1, 1976 IN RESPECT OF THE DAMAGED CUBICLES ON THE GROUND AND 1ST FLOORS, TOGETHER WITH THE WHOLE OF THE BASEMENT OF 12A CARPENTER ROAD. SIMILAR NOTICES WERE ALSO POSTED TODAY TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS ON MARCH 19, 1976

IN RESPECT OF THE REMAINDER OF 12A CARPENTER ROAD, 1B AND 5A CARPENTER ROAD, AND 1 AND 1A SAI TAU TSUEN SECOND STREET AND THE ROOF TOP STRUCTURE AT 3 SA TAU TSUEN SECOND STREET.