FNB temporarily closed after ceiling collapse
The FNB branch at Northmead Square, where a woman was injured when the ceiling partially collapsed, has closed until further notice.
Lee-Anne van Zyl, FNB spokesperson said: “FNB can confirm that its branch at Northmead Square in Benoni will be temporarily closed until further notice, following structural damage.”
The collapse occurred at around 10am on September 5.
Read the previous article here.
“We can confirm that no customers were injured during the incident and that one FNB employee was taken to hospital to treat minor injuries,” van Zyl said.
“Engineers are currently investigating the cause and severity of the damages.”
At the time of publishing, FNB could not confirm whether the branch had closed on the day of the collapse.
Bentel Group, the owner of Northmead Square, said the collapse was not caused by the construction work currently taking place at the centre, but rather due to the existing structure.
“During the construction process (at Northmead Square), it was brought to our attention that a specific portion of the existing perimeter parapet wall at one section of the building showed signs of weakness,” said Rene Blankers, portfolio manager at Bentel Group.
“We requested our professional team to investigate the seriousness of the matter, and to ensure that the safety of our shoppers, tenants and staff are not compromised in any way.”
Blankers went on to say the centre’s owners maintain a zero tolerance policy when it comes to any issue that puts public safety at risk.
“We are however extremely regretful about what happened and assure that all will be done to protect the public and staff at the centre,” she concluded.
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