At least 6 rowhomes' front porches collapse in Philadelphia's Nicetown neighborhood
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The porch fronts of at least six rowhomes collapsed in Philadelphia's Nicetown neighborhood Wednesday. Now, officials are working to find out what led up to it.
It was a very scary situation for those who live in the homes along North 19th Street and Hunting Park Avenue when they suddenly heard the crash of the porches collapse.
Pieces of those porches are left scattered all over.
Chopper 3 was overhead, where you could see the extensive damage of the collapse, with much of it blocking sidewalks.
Officials said it happened just before 10 a.m. and neighbors told CBS News Philadelphia there were no warning signs.
Crews used a saw and other equipment to carefully break apart the six porch roofs that collapsed without warning.
"We never had any indication it was going to fall or anything," Megan Rigney said.
Rigney lives here and came home from work to find her porch roof gone and debris scattered all over. She was outside sitting on her porch Tuesday night, just 12 hours before the collapse.
"Last night we were just sitting outside enjoying the weather and just relaxing after work. And yeah, it was fine," Rigney said.
Rigney says she's allowed to access her home from the rear until crews determine the front door is safe to use.
"It's very frustrating. But we got all the right people out here. Police, Peco, L&I, so I'm just grateful we have the resources to get it taken care of," Rigney said.
City officials are now investigating what caused the collapse.
Tom Morgan's porch roof partially came down.
"I'm not that bad, only half my roof fell," he said. "Compared to everybody else where all their roof fell. But I believe it was just this rain. All this rain we've been getting for the last couple weeks."
Fortunately no one was hurt.
"Just happy that everyone is safe. Glad that no one was out here. That's what I was concerned about," Rigney said.
Rigney and Morgan homeowners have insurance and hope it will cover repairs.
L&I told CBS News Philadelphia there were no previous violations for the homes.
