Ceiling falls at former Ridgewood sporting goods store

YOU READ IT HERE FIRST: What originally went out as a report of a partial building collapse at the former Ridgewood sporting goods store once known as “Bernard’s” turned out to be large chunks of a sub-roof and drop ceiling that fell into the vacant storefront.

Jerry DeMarco

05/15/2013 12:40 a.m.

Village police, firefighters and EMS workers rushed to the site at Oak Street — the former home to Village Sports Center — after a dispatcher received a 911 call just before 5:30 tonight.

Arriving units saw mounds of wood and plaster through the front windows of the single-story structure before determining what happened.

They breathed a collective sigh of relief after discovering that no one was trapped inside.

The roof itself wasn’t damaged, nor did the structure appear compromised in any way. As a precaution, Ridgewood firefighters checked neighboring structures for damage.

Ridgewood’s chief building code enforcement official, Anthony Merlino, was on scene, along with village Police Chief John Ward, Fire Chief James Van Goor (below) and EMS/Emergency Services Chief Brian Pullman, all personally directing their response teams.

Oak Street remained closed between East Ridgewood and Franklin Avenues while authorities investigated. It reopened around 6:45 p.m.

STORY / PHOTOS: Boyd A. Loving

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