When a Window Drops Like a Bad Latte—Block 116 Footprint
Picture a sunny morning in Toa Payoh, the air already buzzing with the scent of fresh coffee. Mrs Teo is juggling chopping veggies for yong tau foo while chatting with her crew when a sudden crash shatters the usual calm at the back of the nearby coffee shop.
The Big Drop
“We were all freaked out,” Mrs Teo (52) told reporters. “I imagined a building collapse or a car crash. Turns out, it was just a window slapping onto the floor.” A pane from an 8‑storey flat had decided to take a tumble right behind her stall.
- Time of incident: 7:30 AM
- No injuries—though a close shave was reported by Mr Hu Lai Fu (78), who was fetching a pail behind his roasted meat stall.
- Near miss: The fragile glass could have landed straight on him.
Not the First Time?
Neither Mrs Teo nor Mr Hu has ever felt the wind shut up a window—they’re no strangers to a free‑fall. Mrs Teo brushed it off: “If it hit someone, it would be a disaster. Lucky in that it wasn’t.”
Down–The‑Middle of the Flat
- The window seems to have come from the kitchen. A tenant, who chose anonymity, claimed the slider was opened, shrugging with disbelief as one pane popped free.
- She called the police, but when asked for more details, stayed tight‑lipped.
Later that day, an HDB employee visited to inspect. He recommended that the flat owner hire an approved contractor for a thorough check and re‑installation.
DIY‑No‑Win: Windows and the BCA
The Building & Construction Authority made it crystal clear: homeowners are responsible for keeping windows in check. If a pane falls, liability could land squarely on the owner.
Feeling unsure? The BCA says you can enlist a licensed window contractor, and the same rule applies when installing or fixing windows.
Bottom Line
So, while Ms Teo’s morning coffee rush was interrupted, no one got hurt. But the incident is a reminder that even a small window can turn into a “surprise drop.” Keep an eye on those panes, folks—better safe than retrying the “scatter-slab” drama!
