Floor Collapse at New Hampshire Wedding Injures Six

During a wedding in New Hampshire on Saturday, a floor collapsed, resulting in approximately 70 people falling into a basement and injuring six others, according to local authorities.

The Tamworth Fire and Rescue Service was alerted to the incident at the Chocorua reserve around 4:33 PM. They, along with the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office, assessed the situation. It was found that there were 144 individuals in the venue when the floor gave way, with about 70 attendees dropping through a roughly 20-by-20-foot opening. Eyewitnesses reported that over 100 people were on the floor at the time, with some needing help as they were trapped under heavy beams and farm equipment.

Before emergency responders arrived, staff and other guests provided initial first aid to those injured. Firefighters continued the rescue and evaluated injuries at the scene.

Six people were taken to nearby hospitals with injuries that were not life-threatening. By the time this report was written, four of those individuals had already been released. Thankfully, no fatalities were reported.

The investigation is still in the earlier stages, but officials suspect that the building may have been over capacity leading up to the collapse. The State Fire Marshal’s Office, led by Toomey, plans to thoroughly review fire and building codes as part of their inquiry.

Toomey expressed appreciation for the quick response of venue staff and wedding attendees who rendered aid before professionals arrived. He mentioned, “We were very lucky that more people weren’t seriously injured here tonight. It’s a testament to the people, staff, and other wedding guests who engaged in rescue efforts, ensuring many were safe.” He highlighted how the quick actions of both the guests and the fire department made a significant difference in the situation.

The wedding took place at the Sapp House, described as a charming New England maple sugar shack with various functions.