Holladay building collapses, workers uninjured
May 25, 2023, 5:36 PM | Updated: 11:06 pm
HOLLADAY, Utah —Several businesses evacuated after the roof of a building collapsed near 4890 S. Highland Drive Thursday afternoon.
According to Unified Fire Authority, the end unit in the commercial building was under renovation and a construction crew was inside as the roof fell on top of them.
The workers were able to escape without major injury.
Employees and customers in businesses in the entire strip mall had to quickly get out.
“I can’t believe that,” said Dawn Johancsik, looking at the damage alongside her husband, Tracy Johancsik. The couple owns CBD Vitality just steps away from where the roof collapsed.
They said their employee called them suddenly Thursday afternoon, clearly shaken as she spoke.
“She had to be evacuated because there was a roof collapse and a gas leak,” Dawn said, of what her employee told her. “She was escorted out by the fire department.”
The couple rushed to their business, worried about the extent of the damage.
They would find that the collapse took out the end business unit and impacted the next couple businesses down including Holladay Dental Studio.
Unified Fire Authority said employees were working on patients inside when they heard a loud crash.
Upon arriving, UFA fire fighters out a construction crew had been working on renovations inside.
“Preliminarily, it sounds like they might have hit a load-bearing wall that took out the ability for the structure to support itself,” said Kelly Bird with Unified Fire Authority.
He said workers had to jump from a scissor lift.
“Some of them were involved in the collapse, but there was no serious injuries,” he said.
No one in the dental office was injured either, he confirmed.
Every business in the strip mall, including CBD Vitality, remained closed for the rest of the day.
The Johancsiks said they were worried they’d have to stay closed for the busy holiday weekend.
“We didn’t know how structurally damaged the whole building might be,” Dawn said.
They found out Thursday evening that they would be able to reopen Friday as normal.
“We’re just glad that everybody is okay and that a lot of us will be able to reopen,” Dawn said.
Officials on scene confirmed the building was under renovation to install indoor pickleball courts.
Bird said city engineers will assess what happens from here, and that the building will likely need to undergo a partial demolition to make the neighboring businesses safe.
