CityOne Megamall reopens, partially

Long (in checkered shirt) leading a group of shoppers for a walk around the mall to show them the progress of the reopening. - Photo credit: CityOne Megamall

KUCHING, Dec 9: CityOne Megamall’s Block C and D and also Mall 2 reopened today after being closed following a deadly explosion on Dec 4, which killed three individuals.

Stephen Long Tine Chung, director of the mall’s developer, Kenbest Sdn Bhd, said the mall received the clearance from the authorities last night.

“Certified structural engineering consultants have verified that the localised explosion has not impacted the structural integrity of the building,” he said in a statement today.

He added that Block A and B of the mall should be reopened on Wednesday (Dec 12), by the developer’s latest estimates, but this has yet to be confirmed.

“In addition to that, CityOne is pleased to announce that the parking will be free for all shoppers until further notice,” Long said.

The explosion that happened around 3.30pm last Tuesday was believed to be caused by a gas leak in the yet-to-be-opened NeNe Chicken outlet on the ground floor.

The three who died are O Kui Lim, 49, and Tchee Kiam Jong, 24, both from Kuching, and Chin Hsien Long, 29, from Penang. Forty-one others were hospitalised for various injuries, including burns. — DayakDaily