'It sounded like an explosion,' Historic building collapses on Main Street in Penetanguishene, Ont.
A historic apartment building on Main Street in Penetanguishene is in ruins, and more than a dozen people are without a place to call home.
According to officials, the building collapsed around 3 a.m. Thursday.
"It sounded like an explosion," said neighbour Vincent Pyman.
"On arrival, Penetanguishene fire crews found the walls on two sides of 78 Main Street had collapsed. Several people were unaccounted for," said Fire Chief Richard Renaud.
Renaud said fire crews began immediately searching for occupants and assessing the structure for stability.
A rapid intervention team from Midland's fire department and an Urban Search and Rescue team from Barrie Fire Service responded.
"I'm amazed an apartment building can just fall over on Main Street," said Penetanguishene resident Tyler Bugg, who drove past the building hours after the collapse.
One of the building's residents reportedly rolled out of his second-storey bedroom onto the sidewalk as the structure gave way.
"He ended up on top of the rubble. He was saying he was fine, just a little bump on the elbow," Pyman said.
Apartment building collapsed on Main Street in Penetanguishene, Thurs., Sept. 7, 2023 (Photo: Michael Chorney/At the Scene Photography)
Officials later confirmed everyone was safe and no one required hospitalization.
Fourteen people have been displaced. The Town said it has reached out to the County for help with housing.
Still, neighbours are grateful the situation didn't turn more tragic.
"I'm glad it happened at three in the morning because any passerby on the street here would have instantly been killed if it was a busy afternoon. This is Main Street," Pyman said.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
Renaud said the cause of this collapse has not been determined.
"From a building perspective and a regulatory perspective, we'll continue to do additional due diligence with surrounding buildings," noted Penetanguishene CAO Jeff Lees.
"Our emergency services, and specifically for this event, our volunteer firefighters acted in a quick manner to protect life and property and keep our community safe," said Mayor Doug Rawson.
"Our thoughts are with the residents and owner affected by this emergency. On behalf of our community and council, we want to express our thoughts to everyone and recognize the valiant work of our emergency crews," Rawson concluded.
With files from CTV's Cheryl Browne
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING NEWS 'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
Diddy admits beating ex-girlfriend Cassie, says he's sorry, calls his actions 'inexcusable'
Sean 'Diddy' Combs admitted Sunday that he beat his ex-girlfriend in a hotel hallway in 2016 after CNN released video of the attack, saying in a video apology he was 'truly sorry' and his actions were 'inexcusable.'
French security forces work to regain control of airport highway in violence-scorched New Caledonia
Using armoured vehicles and backhoes to shove aside charred barricades, French security forces worked Sunday to retake control of the highway to the international airport in violence-scorched New Caledonia, shuttered because of deadly unrest wracking the French Pacific archipelago where indigenous people have long sought independence from France.
Signs of Alzheimer’s were everywhere. Then his brain improved
Blood biomarkers of telltale signs of early Alzheimer’s disease in the brain of his patient, 55-year-old entrepreneur Simon Nicholls, had all but disappeared in a mere 14 months.
Helicopter carrying Iran's hard-line president apparently crashes in foggy, mountainous region
A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the country's foreign minister and other officials apparently crashed in the mountainous northwest reaches of Iran on Sunday, sparking a massive rescue operation in a fog-shrouded forest as the public was urged to pray.
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
Canadian immigration asks medical worker fleeing Gaza if he treated Hamas fighters
Lawyers are questioning Canada’s approach to screening visa applications for people in Gaza with extended family in Canada after one applicant, a medical worker, was asked whether he had treated members of Hamas.
Ottawa driver who appeared to be racing another vehicle on Highway 416 facing charges
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says an Ottawa driver is facing charges after being caught going 187 km/h on Highway 416.