Partial roof collapse at Kong Meng San monastery prompts safety probe and closures

SINGAPORE: A partial roof collapse occurred at the Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery along Bright Hill Road on 26 November, prompting the temporary closure of two buildings and a safety investigation.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it was alerted to the incident at approximately 8.25pm.

A section of roof tiles and the supporting frame from the four-storey Venerable Hong Choon Memorial Hall had fallen, scattering debris across the premises' courtyard.

SCDF deployed firefighters, rescuers from the Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team, and search canines from its search platoon to assess the situation and ensure no one was trapped.

One person sustained minor injuries but declined to be taken to hospital.

Images and videos posted on social media, including by a resident known as Yasin, showed extensive damage to the roof and large amounts of debris on the ground.

Windows of an adjacent building were also damaged by falling fragments.

The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) confirmed that it had been alerted to the collapse and conducted an inspection at the site.

A BCA spokesperson said the structural integrity of the affected buildings—the Venerable Hong Choon Memorial Hall and the Abbot’s Hall—remains intact.

However, the buildings have been closed to public access as a precaution.

“BCA is serving an order to the building owner to appoint a professional engineer to investigate the cause of the collapse, advise on the necessary precautionary measures to obviate any immediate danger, and recommend permanent rectification works,” the authority said in a statement on 27 November.

A spokesperson for the monastery confirmed that the dislodged section of the roof fell around 8pm.

They added that the temple is cooperating fully with authorities, implementing safety protocols such as switching off air-conditioning and electrical systems in the affected zones.

“We are relieved to confirm that no casualties or injuries have been reported,” the spokesperson added.

The two buildings will remain closed to the public until further notice. Investigations are ongoing to determine the underlying structural or environmental causes of the roof failure.

The incident raised concerns among nearby residents.

Yasin, who lives in a Housing Board block next to the monastery, said he heard a loud crashing sound while watching television with his family.

“It sounded like a jet. My wife thought it was firecrackers, but it was much louder,” he recounted to AsiaOne.

This incident marks a rare structural failure at the monastery, which is a prominent religious and cultural site in Singapore.

Authorities have emphasised that no immediate danger remains, and public safety is being prioritised through active measures and structural assessments.

The Venerable Hong Choon Memorial Hall is named after the late Venerable Hong Choon, a respected former abbot of the monastery.

The hall and the adjoining buildings are frequently used for religious ceremonies, memorial services, and community events.