Roof of San Ramon Big 5 Sporting Goods collapses after overnight rain

SAN RAMON -- The roof of the Big 5 Sporting Goods Store, in San Ramon, collapsed early Tuesday morning, due to heavy rain covering the state.

According to San Ramon Police, the call came in around 5:51am and there were no report of injuries. The store was closed at the time.

From the stores window--debris, broken pipes and parts of the roof can be seen.

Tammy Lee, who manages Salons by JC, down the row from the Big 5, says she found out about the collapse on her way to work.

"It was kind of a shocker," Lee told KPIX 5.

No injuries were reported, but nearby stores at the Crow Canyon Commons shopping center remained closed as a precaution, while officials inspect the roof area. 

Officials with the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District said firefighters have not been able to go inside the building Tuesday due to the unstable structure and that the city is in charge of inspecting the building.

"It's pretty rare," said Eric Sabye, Battalion Chief for San Ramon Valley Fire Protection. "You don't see it too often, [I been] here for 20 years now and this is the first collapse I have seen."

In a statement, city officials say that a main beam broke in the center of the store. During the collapse the sprinkler system was broken.

The extra water caused flooding to the RiteAid pharmacy next door.

When asked if the building has a history of drainage issues, Sabye said, "No, we don't know of any issues at all."

"Like I said, it's still under investigation and we don't know what the exact cause was," he went on to say.

Lee added that the salon has had some roofing issues before.

"We have had some leaks probably about three or four," said Lee. "Two had to deal with roofing issues another had to do the piping. I think that ongoing maintenance is necessary. I have been told by some of our roofing people, who have gone up there, that it does not look very maintained."

KPIX reporter Lezla Gooden contributed to this report.