Contractor denies involvement in roof collapse
The contractor involved in demolition and rebuilding works next door to a tenement where a roof collapsed yesterday, has denied responsibility for the incident.
A woman was seriously injured when the roof collapsed St Paul's Bay. Although the owner and neighbours have raised questions on whether the incident was a consequence of the excavation works next door, the contractor, Alan Farrugia, said the roof collapse was unrelated. What had happened, he said, was that roof slabs (xorok) collapsed when the tenant walked on them.
He said that claims that fissures had appeared on the wall and on the floor as a result of the structural works were being investigated by his architect.
The owner, Alex Wright, is insisting that the trouble started when demolition works started some months ago. He said the incident happened when he went on the roof to seal cracks which had developed on the roof. All of a sudden, he said, the roof collapsed onto the hall downstairs. He managed to cling to a wall but his wife was hit by debris on her head and also suffered a broken ankle.
She is currently being operated on.
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James A. Tyrrell
Oct 6th 2008, 20:36
The contractor denies responsibility for the roof collapse. Well, that's a surprise as I fully expected him to admit full responsibility and agree on a compensation deal!
Seriously though on the one hand he is denying responsibility and then he admits that his architect is investigating claims that fissures had appeared on the wall and floor of the house. Since he doesn't know the outcome of that investigation, although I think we can guess what it will be since it is being investigated by his architect, how can he say that the collapse was or was not a consequence of his work next door?
Basically the contractor is saying that Mr. Wright caused the collapse by walking on the roof. Now I don't know Mr. Wright but he must be a particularly big man to cause a roof to collapse. Are the roofs not made to be walked on?
The Government must take action immediately to insist that contractors take out insurance policies to cover such eventualities. It is totally unfair that Mr. Wright and others like him should face years of legal fighting to get compensation in these cases.
Michele Sarlo
Oct 6th 2008, 20:32
Funny to hear that the contractor is denying responsibility. If the roof slabs got loose due to the demolition work what does the contractor expect that the owner of the house doesnt fix the damages or cracks? Especially now that the owner of the house might have leaking water due to the rain?
So apart from having damages to is property a person can have freedom to use all his house?
In that case the contractor is obliged to inspect the house during and after demolition work to make sure that the house is safe for owners to live in.
If any serious or minor damages appear in the building the contractor should not hesitate to fix such damages as soon as possible.
Charles Micallef
Oct 6th 2008, 19:45
A house collapsed because someone walk over the roof stone slabs?
Where they not covered with roof screed (kontrabejt) like most of the older houses?
They do not just collapse!
I would sooner wait for the result of the magisterial enquiry and the Court appointed experts on this one!
Paul Barrett
Oct 6th 2008, 17:24
One slab giving way is one thing - several slabs giving way is another.
As expected, we now go into a "not my fault" argument that could go on for years. Is there no mandatory insurance - insurance assessor system for this sort of incident. At least clear cut cases could then be dealt with.
Christian Abdilla
Oct 6th 2008, 16:44
So according to the contractor, upon seeing some fissures and cracks on the roof, Mr Wright should have left them there and not attempted to fix them himselves in order not to walk on the roof slabs ?
phil press
Oct 6th 2008, 16:23
So was it the first time the tenant, had walked on them ?.
C.Camilleri
Oct 6th 2008, 16:21
This is happening very often. Afterwards enquiries are held but never finish. Are building contractors insured for any damages they might cause to neighbouring residence? St. Paul's Bay was the scene of another such incident with fatal results. Building contractors should be made to follow strict safety rules for the good of their employees and other third parties.