Ceiling falls on market eatery patrons

Ceiling falls on market eatery patrons

IPOH - Patrons of an eatery in Menglembu market had a close shave when the ceiling fell.

Five customers suffered cuts and bruises following the 9.30am incident yesterday.

One of the victims, Tow Ah Yow, 62, said she had just ordered coffee when she heard a cracking sound.

"Seconds later, the ceiling came tumbling down."

Tow, who suffered a cut on her arm and bruises on her leg, said she was lucky the beam did not hit her head.

"This is the first time such an incident occurred at the market."

Her friend, Koh Oi Chun, 51, said the eatery was normally packed with customers.

"Today, there were fewer people as two stalls were closed," she said, adding that if the ceiling had fallen down on any other day, there would have been more casualties.

Chee cheong fun seller Wong Choo Sow, 68, said the beam narrowly missed his wife, Lee Ho Yoke.

"It landed on her back," said Wong, who also suffered injuries to his shoulder.

Wong, who had been trading there for 40 years, said dust fell from the ceiling before it crashed.

Menglembu assemblyman Lim Pek Har urged the Ipoh City Council to rebuild the 70-year-old market following the incident.

"I raised the matter in the state assembly last year but the council told me they had no allocation to rebuild the market."

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