October 21st, 2012
06:47 PM ET

55 hurt after floor of Florida building collapses

The crowded second floor of a Tallahassee, Florida, apartment building collapsed early Sunday - sending scores of people plummeting and, ultimately, 55 to area hospitals - city authorities said.

None of the injuries suffered in the collapse at the Seminole Grand Apartments are considered life-threatening, according to a release on the Tallahassee city government's website.

Witnesses reported an "unusually large crowd" in the two-story, wood frame building before the city fire department got a call at 1:27 a.m. about the collapse.

Using a ladder truck, firefighters rescued seven people after they became stuck in a second-story bedroom and could not access the stairwell, the city said. No one was trapped under the collapsed floor, and the first floor did not contain any apartments.

The building opened for occupancy in December 1995, according to the city. The cause of the collapse - which early estimates suggest caused $250,000 in damage - is under investigation.

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Filed under: Florida • Rescues
soundoff (76 Responses)
  1. Eljordan

    Florida State University party? Too many people on that floor at 1:27am.

    October 21, 2012 at 7:25 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Oceancat

    'Noles students/fans celebrating their big win over UM. At least there was no alcohol being consumed.

    October 21, 2012 at 7:34 pm | Report abuse |
  3. FinitaLaCommedia

    Doesn't Florida qualify as a official third world state after this accident, does it?

    October 21, 2012 at 8:23 pm | Report abuse |
  4. Hide Behind

    Last week a roof fell in and this week the floors fell out from under.
    Is this what they mean when talking about the ups and downs in Florida Real Estate

    October 21, 2012 at 8:23 pm | Report abuse |
  5. scamtannehill

    Last call for Ahhhhhhhh!

    October 21, 2012 at 8:28 pm | Report abuse |
  6. familytravel

    "The cause of the collapse... is under investigation."

    I'm not an expert but I predict the investigation will show one of two things:1) Too many people on that floor of the building or 2) The people on that floor of the building should consider modifying their diet to reduce obesity.

    October 21, 2012 at 8:48 pm | Report abuse |
    • angela birch

      Or theey could build the buiding to modern building standards. Are there no engineers in Florida? What size were the joists? What was their spacing? Were they adequately supported ? IT seems doubtful that the building was properly constucted, I bet the floors were not constructed to even carry 40 pounds per sq ft live load.

      October 21, 2012 at 9:46 pm | Report abuse |
  7. eroteme

    jackpot time?

    October 21, 2012 at 8:50 pm | Report abuse |
  8. iamanaminal

    How stupid can people get?? SERIOUSLY??!!

    October 21, 2012 at 8:58 pm | Report abuse |
  9. SomBob

    In the Boston area, we have porches falling away from buildings fairly often.

    October 21, 2012 at 9:00 pm | Report abuse |
  10. Steve

    WHAT!!!!!! And the rest of the building didn't come down like the twin tower did due to structural failure??????

    October 21, 2012 at 9:03 pm | Report abuse |
    • CurmudgeonTx

      No intensely hot fire from full tanks of jet fuel burning.

      October 22, 2012 at 4:11 am | Report abuse |
  11. robert

    this is a horribly written article. i see a spelling error (witnessed) and the author is comma happy. please hire people who understand grammar.

    October 21, 2012 at 9:12 pm | Report abuse |
    • Baseballngolfisallineed

      Your sentences both need to be capitalized. It's basic grammar.

      October 21, 2012 at 9:37 pm | Report abuse |
  12. John Smith

    I hope there are many Republicans among the victims.

    October 21, 2012 at 9:14 pm | Report abuse |
  13. i_know_everything

    fat people

    October 21, 2012 at 9:22 pm | Report abuse |
  14. teatbagtime

    Obviously too much government regulation is responsible for the collapse.

    October 21, 2012 at 9:28 pm | Report abuse |
  15. noteasilyswayed

    Too many people and shoddy construction.

    October 21, 2012 at 9:41 pm | Report abuse |
    • Craig Adams MD

      I am sure that in a few days Romney will find a way to blame this on the President!

      October 21, 2012 at 11:16 pm | Report abuse |
    • tiddingwright

      Craig (MD) its ok to be ignorant however keep it to yourself.

      October 21, 2012 at 11:28 pm | Report abuse |
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