SOMERVILLE, MASS. (WHDH) - The building that has been standing for more than a century and houses an autobody shop in Somerville collapsed Tuesday sending pieces of the roof crashing down on the cars below.
Emergency crews were called to A+ Autobody on Medford Street shortly before 5 p.m. for reports of a building collapse. Upon their arrival, they found splintered wood from the 80 by 50 foot covering a number of cars being stored in the building.
John Fragione said he immediately thought of his five employees.
“There was a wooden beam, that’s all it was. I just head a big rumbling like you would see the side of a mountain coming down,” said Fragione. “It just came down all at once but, that doesn’t affect me. Just looked over and saw my guys there and I was good.”
Thankfully, all the employees were on the other side of the shop at the time of the collapse. No injuries were reported.
Deputy Fire Chief Sean Tierney said a clogged drain allowed rain to pool on the roof and nearby construction was rattling the ground at the time of the collapse. The age of the building is also a likely factor in the collapse.
The building will have to be torn down and Fragione said he is just thankful it was not worse.
No additional information was immediately available.
This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.
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