Fourth water tank crash in housing estate
NST 13/04/2006

KANGAR, PERLIS: A State Forestry Department assistant director narrowly escaped death when a metre-wide fibre glass water tank crashed through the ceiling of her rented single-storey terrace house in Taman Hijjrah here yesterday.

It could have ended tragically for Nor Hafizah Mustafa, 27, if she had rested in the living room as she usually did instead of the master bedroom.

"For some reason, I chose to sleep in the room," said Nor Hafizah, who is two months pregnant.

She shuddered to think of what could have happened if she had rested in the living room.

Yesterday’s incident was the fourth involving a water tank at the low-medium-cost housing area. No one was hurt in the previous three incidents.

The sound of the crashing tank sent several of Nor Hafizah’s neighbours scrambling out of their houses.

"I heard a thunderous sound and I instantly knew that a water tank had crashed.

"This is worrying and now we wonder whose tank will it be next," said neighbour Wan Rohana Wan Ishak.

State Local Government and Housing Committee chairman Azihani Ali said the developer, Aima Development Sdn Bhd, was aware of the incident and would be meeting municipal officials.

"We will look at the plans as well as the report from the developer before deciding on the next course of action.

"From my observations, the water tank should rest on a stronger platform instead of just pieces of wood."

Azihani said the State Government was concerned as it was the fourth time a water tank had crashed.