14 injured after roof collapses at home near Ohio State University, authorities say

Fourteen people were injured Saturday after a group of people caused a house roof near the Ohio State University campus to collapse, authorities said.

Columbus Division of Fire Battalion Chief Steve Martin said the collapse was caused by people standing on the roof of the house. According to witness statements, the number of people varied from 15 to 45, Martin said. 

Fire officials were called at about 7:40 p.m. on a report that a roof had collapsed with people trapped underneath. When officials arrived at the Columbus, Ohio home, they found the roof had fallen to the ground, which caused the porch to detach from the house.

The rest of the house remained intact. 

DEVELOPING INTO THE EVENING:For an update later tonight, sign up for the Evening Briefing.

What caused the collapse?

Martin said the collapse was caused by people standing on the roof of the house and that according to witness statements, the number of people varied from 15 to 45.

Martin said “a few” people had their legs slightly pinned under the structure, but they were freed by others.

First responders took 14 people to nearby hospitals, where they are reported to be in stable condition. Other people “in various stages of injury” took themselves to the hospital for treatment, Martin said.

“Clearly, the roof was not designed to carry that kind of weight,” Martin said.