Shoppers at City Square Mall were left stunned on Tuesday evening (3 September) when part of the ceiling at the KFC outlet in Basement 1 gave way, causing water to gush into the restaurant and its surroundings. The incident occurred at around 8pm at the mall located along Kitchener Road, with several ceiling beams and panels seen dangling precariously above the entrance.
Eyewitnesses reported that brown-coloured water poured from the ceiling, flooding the fast-food outlet and seeping across the floor outside. Videos shared online showed staff standing outside the restaurant while bystanders crowded around the cordoned-off area. The mall’s management redirected shoppers and advised those heading to Farrer Park MRT station to use alternative routes on Level 1.
Movement Disrupted, Walkways Blocked
The walkway between the affected KFC outlet and shops opposite was fully cordoned off, disrupting movement within the basement level. A security officer was stationed at the site to prevent the public from entering the hazardous zone. Many shoppers were redirected, while cleaners were deployed to manage the water spillage and clear the mess by late evening.
In one clip circulated on TikTok, murky brown water could be seen spreading across the floor as people hurried away from the scene. Some claimed a burst pipe was the cause, though no official confirmation has been provided.
Mall Recently Renovated, Investigations Underway
The collapse raised concerns as City Square Mall had just undergone renovations earlier this year, completed in May 2025. Questions are now being asked about the safety of the building works and whether faulty infrastructure may have contributed to the incident.
The mall’s landlord, City Developments Limited (CDL), has been contacted for comments but has yet to release an official statement. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, though the disruption inconvenienced shoppers and raised safety fears among tenants and visitors alike.
Authorities are expected to investigate the structural failure, while KFC is likely to carry out its own checks before resuming operations at the outlet. For now, visitors are advised to avoid the affected section of the mall until repairs are completed.