MOORHEAD, MINN. (KFGO) – Heavy snow caused a roof collapse at Matt’s Automotive Center, 1234 1st Avenue North in Moorhead late Sunday morning. It’s the second roof collapse of the morning in the FM area.
Assistant Fire Chief Benton Hicks told KFGO News on scene the roof came down on a portion of the auto bay and covered the entire work area. Auto hoists were holdup parts of the collapsed roof and damage is extensive. He says some vehicles were in the garage.
Hicks said no one was being allowed inside the building because of concerns more of the roof might collapse. He said the roof area’s were “creaking”, an indication it was unstable..
The cave-in tore the gas line off a furnace and Xcel Energy was called in to cut off the line. The business was closed for the day. There were no injuries.
Hicks said anyone with heavy snow on their roofs, whether its residential or business to get it cleared off.
Earlier Sunday, a portion of the roof collapsed under the weight of snow at Trail King Industries, 2130 3rd Avenue Northwest in West Fargo’s industrial park.
Fire Chief Dan Fuller told KFGO News on scene that firefighters responded to an alarm indicating a sprinkler was activated. Units arriving found windows blown out of the office area, and fire coming from the flat roof. The roof over the offices caved in, shearing as gas line on the roof causing significant damage in the area below. Firefighters were able to get the gas line shut off and extinguish the fire which was burning rubber roof membrane. The manufacturing section of the large building was not damaged.