At least 10 people were injured when a wooden balcony of a third-floor apartment collapsed Friday evening in Cincinnati, Ohio, officials said. One person was in critical condition, officials said.
Just before 10 p.m. local time, officials were dispatched to an 8-by-12-foot balcony collapse, according to the British Daily Mail. Cincinnati Enquirer. Fire Department spokeswoman Lindsay Hagel said some of the 10 injured were University of Cincinnati students.
Cincinnati Fire Chief Frank McKinley told reporters that the balcony collapsed at an apartment complex in the Corryville neighborhood, located across from the University of Cincinnati campus.
Cincinnati Police Captain Stephen Bauer said during a press conference that five people were seriously injured, while four others were slightly injured. He described the building as a place where a lot of students live.
“They had a big exam today and were celebrating,” Bauer said.
It was not immediately clear how many people were on the balcony when it collapsed. In photos and videos posted online, a balcony can be seen on the ground as fire and police officials work nearby.
The circumstances that led to the collapse are still unknown.
“From what we were told, it was a gathering, and many of those individuals were students,” McKinley said.
The University of Cincinnati is offering assistance in finding homes for any displaced students and offering grief counseling, University of Cincinnati fire officials said. The Enquirer’s Story.
The situation is being investigated and the university has been notified.