Manassas apartment building roof collapse displaces 67; heavy snow the likely culprit

Prince William County emergency officials were finding safe places for 67 people to stay after an apartment building roof in the 10900 block of Coverstone Drive if Manassas collapsed, likely from heavy snow early this morning, Jan. 24.

When fire and rescue crews arrived at approximately 12:30 a.m., they observed one building with its roof partially collapsed and a second building roof with the potential to collapse, according to a report from Kim Hylander, spokesman for Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue.

Initial reports were that residents were trapped because the collapse was in the building’s center portion leading to an exit. Emergency crews began to immediately evacuate residents from the 12 units in each building.

Building officials are at the scene now to determine the cause of the collapse. According to Hylander’s report, 28 inches of snow fell in 36 hours.

One firefighter sustained a minor facial cut, according to the DFR report. No one else was injured.

Chief Kevin McGee said a building usually will give visual and audible clues of stress prior to a collapse. Residents should look for and listen for these signs, he added.

Visual signs include a sagging roof, inside or out; sprinkler heads pushed out from the ceiling; warped or bent utility pipes; doors pop open on their own or are difficult to open or close; and windows are difficult to open and close or begin breaking, said McGee.

Popping or cracking sounds more often or only when there is snow on the roof could be an audible warning of impending collapse, the chief said.

What to do: Get out of the building and call 9-1-1, he advised.