Nine individuals were hospitalized, with three in critical condition after a porch collapse in Boston's Dorchester neighborhood, officials said. The third-floor structure of a multi-family home on Harwood Street gave way during a sizable gathering around 10 p.m. on Friday night, according to statements obtained by NBC Boston.
The Boston Fire Department, upon arriving at the scene, found that all victims had fallen to the ground level beneath the collapsed porch. "At approximately 10 this evening a 3rd-floor porch collapsed injuring multiple people, at 39 Hardwood st. Dorchester," was how the Boston Fire Department described the unfortunate event on their X account. Boston Fire Chief of Operations Rodney Marshall pointed out to CBS Boston that a secondary collapse occurred when a refrigerator and other items on the deck also came crashing down.
Boston EMS has confirmed that all injured parties are adults, with injuries ranging from minor bruises to serious trauma. The patients were transported to Boston Medical Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and Brigham and Women's Hospital for treatment. Marshall emphasized the importance of considering the age and weight limits of such structures, noting, "You have to be aware of the age of these buildings, the types of material that you're storing on the buildings, the total weight -- every building has a weight limit, capacity," as detailed by NBC Boston.
The incident has triggered an investigation by the Boston Police, while the Boston Inspectional Services Department has been called to survey the site for any further hazards. The collapse not only shines a light on the potential perils of aging infrastructure but also on the necessity of proper maintenance and awareness of structural limitations in residential buildings. At the time of reporting, no additional information has been made readily available.
