KOTA KINABALU: A 55-year-old Chinese national was injured when the first floor of a four-storey shophouse at Segama Complex collapsed.

The woman, identified as Wang Way, suffered a fractured leg and severe bruises after debris hit her when the flooring gave way at around 8pm on Friday (March 7).

It is understood that the victim and her husband were operating a restaurant on the ground floor of the Segama shophouses, built in the mid-1970s.

Kota Kinabalu district police chief Asst Comm Kasim Muda said on Saturday (March 8) that all 55 residents staying on the second and third floors were evacuated immediately as a safety measure.

He said a temporary relief centre was opened at the Kota Kinabalu Community Centre for the victims.

He urged residents not to return to their dwellings until authorities assess the building’s safety.

Police received a distress call from a member of the public at about 7.55pm on Friday.

A team from the Fire and Rescue Department rushed to the scene and located the woman, who received initial treatment before being taken to the hospital.

The firemen are continuing their investigation into the cause of the collapse and urge the public not to enter the building until it is declared safe.

“We urge the public to cooperate for the safety of everyone,” he said.

A spokesman from the Sabah Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) said firemen found the victim crushed by the concrete floor.

“The fire department then instructed the public to exit the building as a safety measure,” he added.

The collapse formed a large hole in the first floor, which housed an inn.

However, there were no reports of casualties from the premises involved.