A carport awning collapsed at the Alpine Ridge apartment complex in Flagstaff, Arizona. (Brandon Neuman / NAZ Today)
FLAGSTAFF (NAZ Today)- On late Friday afternoon one of the carport awnings at the Alpine Ridge apartment complex collapsed due to heavy, shifting snow. Officials with the Flagstaff Fire Department believe heavy snow which had built up on the carport slowly slid to one side as it began to melt. This imbalance in weight caused the welds on the supporting posts to break, resulting in the entire awning cantilevering over to one side.
No injuries have been reported from this collapse, but vehicles parked under the awning were damaged. In total five vehicles were parked under the awning, three of which sustained significant damage.
The Flagstaff Fire Department along with a City of Flagstaff building inspector began evacuating the north side of building seven which is located directly adjacent to the collapsed parking awning. Officials made the decision to evacuate the residents because there was no way for the residents to safely access the twelve apartments without having to walk under the damaged structure.
Each apartment was red tagged and residents who were already in their apartments were advised they needed to leave. A representative from the Alpine Ridge apartment complex was en route to begin helping those who had been displaced due to the collapse.
Other residents in the apartment complex were seen quickly moving their cars out from under the other carport awnings in fear that they too may soon collapse.
Five vehicles were parked under the awning at the time it collapsed, three of which sustained damage. (Brandon Neuman / NAZ Today)
A view of the carport awning after it collapsed. (Brandon Neuman/ NAZ Today)
Great reporting folks. I’m amazed that this story didn’t make the other flagstaff publication. Its even been aired on the valley news stations. NAZToday is my new home for breaking news!
Alpine Ridge management just doesn’t learn. Last year (Christmas 2008) they had about a dozen carports collapse due to this same type of neglect. And just last week they had a less critical collapse of another carport.
One would think taking the time to remove the snow and ice build ups would be cheaper than rebuilding carports, paying for damaged cars, and paying for the displacement of their tenants. But what do I know?