Walkway and stairs collapse under weight of snow at South Lake Tahoe apartment building

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Five residents had to escape from their apartments Friday night after a partial collapse at a seven-unit complex in South Lake Tahoe.

South Lake Taho Fire Rescue (SLTFR) received the call at approximately 7:30 p.m. and rushed to the building at 769 San Francisco Avenue. They found a partial collapse on one side of a two-story apartment complex in South Lake Tahoe

The roof assembly over the building's walkway gave way to heavy snow, causing the stairs and walkway to the entrances of the apartments to collapse. SLTFR got the five residents out by ladder from the opposite side of the building.

SLTFR Fire Chief Jim Drennan said several tons of snow came down with the walkways.

There has been no damage at this time to the inside of the apartments but the building has been red-tagged. All utilities were shut off to prevent further issues.

There were no injuries.

All residents have found places to stay tonight with friends and family, and the building's owner provided a motel room for one couple.

This was the main entrance/exit for the structure. The section of the roof shown in the photos above collapsed while SLTFR was on scene.