Roof Collapses at HP Townhome Complex
It was a scary situation for residents of a townhome complex in the 4200 block of Lomo Alto Drive last night when their roof suddenly collapsed. Thankfully, there were no injuries, although a few residents have been displaced.
A 9-1-1 caller in the 12-unit, three-story building said she heard a crash. “My ceiling has fallen into the floor,” she told dispatchers.
The partial collapse affected three townhomes in the Gables Highland Park complex, two of which were occupied at the time. Other residents in the same building were evacuated for precautionary reasons after collecting personal belongings, and electric and gas services were turned off.
Highland Park police and building officials haven’t determined a cause for the collapse, although they have ruled out a fire or explosion.
As part of the collapse, a 20-square-foot area of roof, ceiling, and attic debris fell to the third floor, causing a chain reaction that damaged townhomes on the first and second floors below.
An independent structural engineer will inspect the roof today. Once the structural integrity of the undamaged units is deemed safe, then those residents can return to their homes.
