Floor failure forces pub to shut bar
The upstairs bar at The Flying Scotsman pub in Mt Lawley has been closed indefinitely after people were evacuated because of a structural fault.
About 120 people were attending the launch of the Beaufort Street Festival at the Defectors Bar on Wednesday night when part of the floor shifted and appeared to collapse.
City of Vincent mayor John Carey, who was at the launch, said the crowd was gathered around for speeches when a loud thud was heard about 7.30pm. "It sounded like a truck had run into the side of the building," he said. "Then the glass bar shelves just shattered and collapsed on to the floor.
"People standing on a particular sector of the floor said they felt it come out from beneath them."
Mr Carey said despite initial confusion and shock, people evacuated the building in a co-operative and calm manner and no one was hurt.
The council's planning and compliance officers attended the Beaufort Street bar yesterday to inspect the damage.
A Building Act notice has been issued and the top floor will remain closed until an engineering compliance certificate is lodged with the council. This is expected to take about a week.
The downstairs pub area will remain open.
Mr Carey commended staff for their quick response in evacuating patrons and co-operating with the council. "We are now just making sure we go through all the processes properly to ensure that the bar is made safe again," he said.
The owner of the bar could not be reached for comment.
