A three-storey building tilts as residents run to safety at Chamundi Nagar

BENGALURU: During the wee hours of Wednesday at Chamundi Nagar near RT Nagar, 16 people, including six children, had escaped miraculously after the three-storey building which they live in tilted.

The incident created chaos in the locality where the buildings stand cheek by jowl as the locals feared the tilted structure could land on their houses.

Muneer Hussain, who is a shop owner residing on the ground floor of the building along with his two children and wife, said that, “Around 3 AM, vessels started flying off the shelves in our kitchen, waking us up. I rushed to see what had happened. Within seconds, the floor tiles began to crack and I rushed out with my wife and sons.”

Maula, a realtor, had purchased the building for Rs 35 lakh two years ago. “I have no other option but to demolish it. We are just waiting for the tenants to shift their valuables and other materials, after which we will begin the process,” he said.

As the building was tilted, the residents were seen going in and out of their houses to bring their belongings out. Neighbours have provided them with shelter and food for now.

Usmaan, 24, who lives on the first floor, had said that, “The building stands on a 15ft x 40 ft plot. Two days ago, a neighbouring site owner started digging his plot to lay a foundation.”

Muneer had alleged that the building which tilted was having a 2-ft deep foundation and the high groundwater table had flooded the base. RT Nagar police said no complaint have been filed as the building owner has agreed to demolish the structure.