NSW: 1000 evacuated from Campbelltown Mall after ceiling failure

AAP General News (Australia)
02-11-2007
NSW: 1000 evacuated from Campbelltown Mall after ceiling failure

SYDNEY, Feb 11 AAP - Hundreds shoppers were evacuated from a shopping mall at Campbelltown
in Sydney's southwest when a ceiling caved in following a torrential downpour around lunchtime
today.

The second floor ceiling of Campbelltown Mall, which covers an area of 400 metres by
150 metres, partially collapsed around 12.20pm (AEDT).

A NSW Fire Brigades spokesman said about 1,000 people, shoppers and also workers, were
evacuated from the two storey mall.

"There's been numerous ceiling collapses throughout the top level and a large amount
of water is covering about 40 per cent of the floor area," the spokesman said.

"At this stage no injuries have been reported and we're currently awaiting the arrival
of council engineers to determine the structural damage to the building."

Parts of the mall have been sandbagged and six fire brigade pumps are working to flush
water from the complex.

Ambulance officers and police are on standby.

AAP krc/wjf/it

KEYWORD: COLLAPSE

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