Roof partially collapses at athletic-wear store in downtown Philadelphia, injuring 3 women
An athletic-wear store's roof partially collapsed Tuesday, apparently as bricks fell from a taller building next door, injuring three women inside.
The three women were taken from the Lululemon store to a hospital but didn't have life-threatening injuries, police Sgt. Eric Gripp said.
Christine Vamvalis-Haley was shopping at the downtown store when she heard a huge crash before the store's ceiling, walls and light fixtures came tumbling down. The Queensbury, New York, resident said she fled out a back door to escape the dust and debris.
Aerial photos show a large hole in the roof and bricks missing from the roofline of a six-story building next door. A photo posted online shows broken-off wooden beams jutting into the store from above.
Lawyer Louis Bove, working on the top floor of the adjacent building, said he heard "a really loud crash that shook my desk." Then he looked out and saw the hole in Lululemon's roof and bricks scattered nearby.
The adjacent building appeared to be owned by Pearl Properties and to house apartments and offices. The company did not immediately return a call for comment Tuesday.
Lululemon Athletica sells yoga and athletic apparel.
Along with police, city and federal inspectors were expected to investigate.