Lidcombe shopping centre: Shoppers run for cover as ceiling collapses at busy mall
Christmas shoppers have been forced to run for cover after a ceiling collapse at a busy shopping mall.
Rescue teams rushed to Lidcombe Shopping Centre in NSW after numerous triple-0 calls were made about people being trapped and injured just before 2pm on Friday.
A 10sqm section of the ceiling fell onto the ground below, injuring one person and forcing others to flee.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Vision obtained by 7NEWS shows the aftermath of the collapse, with water pouring from the ceiling causing significant flooding.
The shopping centre has been partially closed as an investigation gets underway into what caused the disaster.
SEE THE VISION IN THE PLAYER ABOVE
A Fire and Rescue and Rescue NSW spokesperson said the service was initially alerted to an activation of an automatic fire alarm at 1.50pm.
“Fire Rescue initially sent two trucks, eight firefighters to investigate the alarm. Almost immediately following the activation of the alarm Fire and Rescue began receiving triple-0 calls reporting that part of a ceiling had collapsed at the same shopping centre in Lidcombe and that people were trapped and injured.
“Based on these triple-0 calls, Fire and Rescue responded a total of five fire trucks, 20 firefighters including specialist rescue trucks and crews.
The spokesperson said the ceiling collapse appeared to have been caused by a sprinkler head activating in a ceiling space with the weight of water causing the collapse.
What caused the sprinkler to activate is under investigation.
“There was significant flooding within the shopping centre. No one was trapped although one person was assessed by ambulance and later transported to hospital.
“Firefighters isolated the sprinkler system, and a sprinkler technician will be repairing and restoring the system. Fire and Rescue handed over the incident to shopping centre management just after 3pm.”
NSW Ambulance has confirmed paramedics treated one person for shoulder injuries and took them to Auburn Hospital.
Lidcombe shopping centre management has been approached for comment.
