PHOENIX – A partial roof collapsed at Desert Sky Mall on Wednesday evening, according to Phoenix Fire Department.
What we know:
The west Phoenix mall, where the partial “drop ceiling” collapse was reported, was located at 75th Ave and West Thomas Road. The collapse caused a main water line to be severed.
Todd Keller, with the fire department, said the collapse occurred at Somos Dental and Orthodonics, while patients were inside.
What they’re saying:
“After the hail starts coming down. I hear a really loud pop. I hear another pop. So when the second pop goes off, both the doctor and I look at the ceiling and we can clearly see all of the cracks. At that point he immediately starts evacuating all of our ortho patients and I started evacuated the rest of the office,” witness Bianca Esquer said.
The mall was evacuated.
“That’s when we actually see the ceiling collapse,” Esquer said.
“Due to the fire suppression system (sprinklers) being disabled and flooding, the entire mall will be closed for an unknown amount of time,” the department said. The damage spread from the dental office to multiple businesses inside the mall.
Officials said no one was injured.
“I’m just glad everyone got out okay and everyone is safe,” Esquer said.
What we don’t know:
The full extent of the damage inside the mall and what areas of the mall were impacted is currently unknown.
What’s next:
City of Phoenix structural engineers are coordinating the reopening of the mall back to the Desert Sky management team.
Map of where the partial collapse was reported.
The Source: Phoenix Fire Department