Update: Deck Collapses at Trappe Home
Those injured are reportedly in stable condition.
A happy family reunion at Trappe Fire Chief Brian Long's home Saturday evening took a frightening turn as the deck the family had gathered on collapsed from underneath them.
Standing together for a photo opportunity, the deck "just cracked," Long said.
At least three people were transported to Lehigh and Phoenixville hospitals. Emergency personnel described most injuries as "minor."
Long was still at his home and was treating his leg with an ice pack. Trappe Battalion Chief Jeremy Burke said it was fortunate no one was under the deck at the time.
According to an update e-mailed shortly before 10 p.m., "The deck and house were inspected by the Trappe Borough Fire Marshal and the Trappe Building Inspector. The deck is being dismantled by Total Restoration of Limerick and the house was deemed safe and usable by the inspectors. All injured parties are stable and are being treated at area hospitals."
In addition to Trappe Fire and EMS companies, Perkiomen Township Fire Company, Pennsylvania State Police and Friendship Ambulance.
Trappe Fire Police directed traffic away from the scene on Bonny Brook Avenue.
The earlier editions of this story are below:
Update 7:56 p.m.: According to Long, he was host of a family reunion at his home. The deck collapsed during a photo opportunity of the entire family.
Three family members were transported to Lehigh and Phoenixville hospitals, according to those on scene. Long, himself, sustained minor injuries being treated currently by ice pack.
A Patch reporter is on the scene in Trappe, where a deck has collapsed. At least three persons have been reported as being transferred for emergency care.
The collapse occurred at 525 Bonny Brooke Ave., Trappe, the home of Trappe Fire Chief Brian Long. Reports from the scene are that patients are being transported, and the block surrounding the home is closed for emergency crews to have access.
Stay tuned into Patch for more information as it becomes available.
In This article
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Trappe Fire and EMS Company
20 W 5th Ave, Trappe, PA -
Perkiomen Township Fire Company
Gravel Pike, Collegeville, PA (485 Gravel Pike, Collegeville PA 19426) -
Pennsylvania State Police Skippack Barracks
2047 Bridge Rd, Schwenksville, PA
linda wilde
7:51 am on Sunday, September 25, 2011
That is so scary. Let's hope for a quick recovery for all. We read of these stories too often.
joe
1:43 pm on Sunday, September 25, 2011
Glad to hear nobody was seriously hurt. I wonder if that deck was permitted and approved by the building inspector. Based on those pictures, I'm guessing it wasn't. Shows you how important it is to pull permits for construction and get things inspected.
Wanza Giorgio
7:43 am on Monday, September 26, 2011
According to an update e-mailed shortly before 10 p.m., "The deck and house were inspected by the Trappe Borough Fire Marshal and the Trappe Building Inspector.
Lori
2:32 pm on Sunday, September 25, 2011
Wow, Joe...what are you implying?
Lori
2:37 pm on Sunday, September 25, 2011
Based on your post, I'm guessing you have ZERO facts to support the libel above...and I don't even need a picture of you!!
beachbum
2:56 pm on Sunday, September 25, 2011
...how contradictory as well; I thought Joe was against 'government interference in everyday life'.
joe
9:37 am on Monday, September 26, 2011
Ahh. I figured it out. Beachbum and Lori=, apparently you have me confused with another Joe. I looked up your past comments and it seems you have an ongoing tift with a guy named Joe in these forums. Seems like it is politically motivated. Just so you know- that's not me. I have no secret agenda. Thanks.
Lori
3:23 pm on Sunday, September 25, 2011
It's hard to keep track of his personal agenda du jour. Attacking larger principles with your opinion, no matter how misguided, is one thing. But posting on this situation as he did in what I assume is a ploy to "get us thinking" is irresponsible and unfounded.
joe
9:31 am on Monday, September 26, 2011
I don't know what I missed here.
First off Lori, nothing libelous about what I wrote- please read carefully and then do some research on the definition of libel. I'm guessing you aren't an attorney.
Secondly, the article stated "The deck and house were inspected by the Trappe Borough Fire Marshal and the Trappe Building Inspector. The deck is being dismantled by Total Restoration of Limerick and the house was deemed safe and usable by the inspectors." Most decks when they are built are NOT inspected by the Fire Marshall. The article, to me, suggests the inspection was completed AFTER the collapse, in order to deem the house inhabitable. The Fire Marshall does not usually inspect a newly constructed deck at a private residence, at least not in this local area.
Thirdly, beachbum, I have no problem with government building requirements and inspections. They help to keep things like this from happening.
Fouth, I have no agenda, just posted my thoughts on the article and then out of nowhere I was attacked for my "agenda". Very strange.
Lori
10:54 am on Monday, September 26, 2011
Perhaps you could clarify your point. Why would you assume that the deck was not inspected when it was built?
The intention of your statement seems to walk the line of libel as it seems you are implying some type of situation where the code enforcement was circumvented.
I am not a lawyer...but I have played one on TV.
joe
12:43 pm on Monday, September 26, 2011
Obviously you are neither a lawyer, nor a carpenter/in the construction business. Based on the pictures, it looks like a catastrophic failure of the deck, which is EXTREMELY rare, if it was built propertly and according to code. Another possibility could be a deck that was horribly compromised by rot/insect damage, but the deck doesn't look that old in those pics.
Based on that, I would tend to lean towards it not being propertly built. If it was not properly built, yet passed inspection, then there's a major issue with the inspector. If it was not permitted and built properly, and not inspected, then it falls back on the homeowner. That's the basis of my OPINION, and not an ACCUSATION.
Lori
10:57 am on Monday, September 26, 2011
And...I have a big dictionary:
a : a written or oral defamatory statement or representation that conveys an unjustly unfavorable impression b (1) : a statement or representation published without just cause and tending to expose another to public contempt (2) : defamation of a person by written or representational means
joe
12:48 pm on Monday, September 26, 2011
A dictionary is a good thing, but that's why lawyers get paid big money. You need to look up defamatory also, as well as PA case law on the subject. Libel covers defamatory statements of FACT, not opinion. What I said was "I wonder if that deck was permitted and approved by the building inspector. Based on those pictures, I'm guessing it wasn't." That Lori, is a statement of OPINION. Compare that to if I said: "Clearly that deck was not inspected and the homeowner purposefully avoided pulling a permit, when he knew darn well that he should".
Lori
10:58 am on Monday, September 26, 2011
^please enlighten me on how your post was not in this realm?
Lori
11:16 am on Monday, September 26, 2011
...although I do apologize for confusing you with the other Joe.
joe
12:44 pm on Monday, September 26, 2011
Apology accepted. I have no agenda here, just sharing my view/opinions, which I thought was welcome in this forum, but it seems there are some very harsh undercurrents of political ideology, which I wasn't aware of.
beachbum
4:40 pm on Monday, September 26, 2011
Joe: I apologize for assuming you were the other Joe. Sorry!
joe
4:52 pm on Monday, September 26, 2011
No worries. Apology accepted. I didn't know there was such fierce political debates on this site, lol.