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House roofs collapse due to snow in Nakusp

Woman and pets escape uninjured
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Cindy Coates was in the home but escaped unhurt when the building collapsed around her. Photo: John Boivin

Nakusp’s fire chief says residents should check their roofs after two houses in the village collapsed from the weight of snow in the last week.

“In 35 years I haven’t seen anything like this happen,” said Terry Warren. “People should have a good look at their roofs… this is snow like we used to get in the 60s.”

Emergency crews responded to a call Monday at 3 p.m. after a house collapsed on 7th Street.

A woman was in the home, but escaped unharmed with her pets.

The house was completely demolished under the weight of the snow. A car parked on the side of the building was buried when the carport collapsed. The walls of a new garage at the back of the building were blown outward, and lumber and other materials were strewn around. A front porch collapsed under the weight as well.

Firefighters cordoned off the area, and ordered hydro and water to the building cut.

Lloyd Coates and his wife, Cindy, were put up in emergency shelter for the evening, and the community began to rally behind the couple. Posts on Facebook called for clothes and essentials for the pair, until insurance help kicks in.

It’s the second house collapse in eight days in Nakusp. On February 25th the roof of a mobile home on 9th Avenue caved in, trapping a resident inside. Emergency crews had to extract the person, who was taken to hospital with unspecified injuries.