Rain and snow build-up causing some roof collapses in Halifax

HALIFAX – Halifax Fire and Emergency crews were called to two roof collapses Sunday morning.

The first was a vacant building in the Burnside Industrial Park , while the second was an automotive repair shop on Waverley road.

Nobody was inside either building.

Here's another photo of the roof collapse on Waverley Rd. #Halifax pic.twitter.com/YoSQNHOby9

— Mayya Assouad (@Mayya_Global) March 22, 2015

“We’re running into a lot of snow load issues,” said Halifax Fire Division Commander Lloyd Currie. “With the amount of snow on the roofs, the rain we had last evening and the above zero temperatures, it’s adding a lot of weight stress on buildings.”

Currie added he wouldn’t be surprised if crews had to respond to more roof collapses throughout the day.

Just outside the city, in Hammonds Plains, drivers could see the roof of Whiley Sawmill had also caved in under the weight of the snow.

Spotted another collapsed roof - this one in Hammonds Plains. #Halifax pic.twitter.com/PqQ3GBSmP6

— Mayya Assouad (@Mayya_Global) March 22, 2015

Many other buildings, like Cole Harbour Place, closed their doors as a precaution, because of the snow load on the roof.

John MacIntyre, who works with Five Star Roofing, says buildings and houses with more than three feet of snow on their roof should consider getting it removed.

“The problem is there’s layers of ice and snow and slush underneath all that snow,” he said.

“Once you’ve got that, and even that fluffy stuff from [Saturday], as it starts to melt it doubles in weight.”

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MacIntyre says people need to remember roofs can only carry so much weight before they give way.

“It’s extremely important to get the weight off so that it doesn’t damage your building or collapse your roof,” he said.