Avenor building collapse: ‘A pillar fell before total crash’ — Survivor narrates

An eyewitness has recounted the terrifying moments leading to the collapse of a building at Avenor in North Kaneshie, opposite the Ashfoam showroom and adjacent to Melcom Plus, disclosing that a structural pillar detached from the building shortly before the entire structure came crashing down.

The incident occurred on Sunday, June 7. The collapsed structure, believed to have served both residential and commercial purposes, reportedly housed several businesses and included a mosque.

Speaking to Channel One TV's Jude Duncan, the eyewitness said he narrowly escaped death after hearing a loud sound from one of the building's supporting pillars moments before the collapse.

“I am not happy and there is nothing to be happy about. I heard a pillar fall and I ran out of the building before everything came down. There were three people in there and there was one person who also jumped out and broke his ribs and was taken to the hospital. This is a building for many businesses and I am hurt by the death of the one person,” he said.

His account suggests the building may have shown early signs of structural failure moments before the disaster, offering a brief window for some occupants to flee to safety.

The collapse has already claimed at least one life, while others are still feared trapped under the debris as rescue operations continue.

Authorities are yet to provide a comprehensive update on the total number of casualties and the number of people who may have been inside the building at the time of the incident.

-citinewsroom