Roof collapse causes significant damage to classroom building at university in North Carolina
The main classroom building at a university in North Carolina collapsed over the weekend, but no one was injured, officials say.
WVEC-TV reports that the roof of Heritage Hall at Mid-Atlantic Christian University in Elizabeth City, N.C., gave way Saturday morning.
"The student body, staff and faculty are 100% safe and accounted for," the university says.
The collapse is being blamed on ""the weight and location of shingles" put on the roof during replacement work.
University president John Maurice said construction crews were on the roof when it happened.
“The roof was being re-shingled and they were here beginning work that morning and the neighbors basically said they started to hear the building shifting," Maurice says. “Fortunately the roofers were able to get on the ends where it was safe. So no one was injured.”
The hall held the university’s largest classrooms, as well as the cafeteria and some academic offices. No classes were taking place at the time.
"The section that collapsed were our three largest classrooms,” he says. “We could have had 24 students in each of those classrooms, so we’re thankful that nobody was in the building.”
Students will continue classes at other buildings on campus and Maurice said the nearby College of the Albemarle has offered some of its classrooms for use.
As for the cafeteria, school officials will serve meals in the gym and are working with the food vendor on a long-term solution.
Maurice says the school's insurance company will investigate to determine the extent of damage. If the building needs to be replaced, it could cost from $4 million to $5 million.
Video from WVEC-TV:
