The collapse of a ceiling in a detached garage at a two-story residential building in a western Houston suburb injured about 50 people Thursday afternoon, a Houston Fire Department spokesman said. The second floor of the garage "pancaked" onto the first floor, injuring people on both floors.
Aerial shots from Sky 2 showed dozens of people outside the home, many of whom were being treated by emergency personnel, with at least 15 ambulances being sent to the site near Katy, an official with the West I-10 Fire Department told the Los Angeles Times.
While an impromptu triage was set up by firefighters on the street and in the driveway, several people could be seen sitting in the driveway, some holding ice packs to their head. Most of the injuries ranged from minor cuts and abrasions to significant blunt trauma, HFD said.
"They have reports of multiple patients due to a structural collapse of the residence," Houston Fire Department spokesman Ruy Lozano told The Times.
At least 30 people, including six children, were transported to nearby hospitals, including Texas Children's, Katy Memorial and Methodist West hospitals. Approximately 100 total victims had been inside the 2-story garage at the time of collapse, Tim Thomas with the West I-10 Fire Department said.
The huge gathering looked to be a party, a neighbor told Click2Houston.com. "Well I was just in the house behind it and they were playing a bunch of loud music and it sounded like the roof collapsed," he said.
A letter, obtained by reporter Mary Benton from Click2Houston.com, was distributed by the homeowner to neighbors saying there was to be a religious celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday with about 150 guests expected to attend. The celebration would include music and dancing, the letter read, with an additional apology for any inconvenience.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
