Berkeley ceiling collapse sends woman to hospital
UPDATE: Despite initial reports that the roof or entire building had collapsed, firefighters determined that only the ceiling was impacted.
The ceiling of a two-story building partially collapsed in Berkeley on Thursday morning sending at least one woman to the hospital, authorities report.
Shortly before publication time, several other people were still being assessed at the scene.
Scroll down for an update to the story.
The woman, who is in her 60s, was able to talk but could not walk on her own, according to early reports.
Authorities began getting reports at about 10:15 a.m. that the roof of a building at 2005 San Pablo Ave. (at University Avenue) had caved in, trapping people inside, police said.
The scene of the ceiling collapse at San Pablo and University avenues. Ariel Nava Photo
The building — which houses a check-cashing business — has now been evacuated.
Ariel Nava, a frequent TBS contributor, said the block was mostly quiet as of 11:30 a.m., with just one police officer remaining in the area.
Red "danger" tape blocked off the sidewalk from the check-cashing shop north to University Avenue.
It was not immediately clear whether the neighboring sofa shop had been impacted but Nava said black plastic sheeting was visible on their ceiling.
The Scanner has asked authorities for more details and will update this story when they are provided.
Update, 11:45 a.m. The Berkeley Fire Department said the building will be closed until further notice and cannot be occupied at this time.
Despite initial reports that the roof or entire building had collapsed, firefighters determined that only the ceiling was impacted.
"The cause of the collapse is unknown," the Berkeley Fire Department said in a prepared statement. "City inspectors will respond to evaluate the building today."
Aside from the woman who was taken to Highland Hospital, several individuals declined medical treatment, BFD said.
The Berkeley Fire Department said it hoped to have additional information later this afternoon.
"The Building and Safety division of the Planning Department responded to a request for assistance from Berkeley Fire concerning the roof collapse," BFD wrote. "This remains an active situation, and an inspector is currently on-site evaluating the structure."
This story was updated after publication due to the developing nature of events.
