Kapuskasing residents asked to avoid area near roof collapse

Snow load blamed for a vacant building's collapse in Kapuskasing, Ont., which caused a gas leak that temporarily displaced dozens.

Emergency responders were still on the scene Monday afternoon at the site of a collapsed roof on Byng Avenue in Kapuskasing.

The site is the location of the now-closed North Lane Bowling.

“A roof collapse has occurred at the former bowling alley,” municipal officials said.

“Gas service has been shut off and there is no threat to the public at this time.”

Mayor Dave Plourde said that heavy snow load is to blame for the collapse.

Heavy snow load

Plourde said the privately owned structure had been used for storage but was expected to be converted into apartments.

“It imploded. It just went in on itself,” he said.

“There’s enough snow there I guess, to cause the roof to completely go into the building. There’s nothing that they can do to save that building. It’s a complete collapse.”

Fire chief Normand Beauchamp told CTV News the collapse created a gas leak, prompting the evacuation of 23 buildings between Queen Street and Riverside.

Everyone has now been allowed back in, except for those at 9 Byng Avenue, an apartment directly beside the collapse. Plourde said there is concern that the collapse could have damaged nearby structures.

Building will be demolished

He said engineers will be visiting 9 Byng to ensure residents who live there can return there safely.

Beauchamp said the collapsed building will be demolished later Monday.

“It’s just as a result of the overabundance of snow we’ve received this winter -- you’re seeing it everywhere,” Plourde said.

He said more roofs could collapse under the weight of melting snow as temperatures rise.

Plourde said snow load will be discussed at a meeting Monday evening, but he wanted to reassure Kapuskasing residents that town facilities are safe.

“We have an engineer on staff that takes care of our buildings,” he said.

“We do it on a regular basis, but there will be a request for a report on that, for sure.”

Beauchamp said that two months ago, the town launched a program to check on buildings across the community. Staff drove around to check buildings and warned owners to check on roofs.