Former Superior Hyundai building collapses due to snow
The former Superior Hyundai building at 3023 Seven St., Parkersburg, is seen Tuesday morning after it collapsed Monday night. Authorities said no one was injured. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)
PARKERSBURG – A former automotive dealership building collapsed Monday night, apparently under the weight of accumulating snow. The Parkersburg Fire Department was dispatched to 3023 Seventh St at 9:55 p.m. Monday for a report of a collapsed building, Chief Jason Matthews said. Crews noticed a smell of natural gas and shut the gas off at the meter, he said. The building had been used as Superior’s Hyundai operation for sales, service and parts before the dealership sold the Hyundai franchise in May, Superior Toyota owner T.R. Hathaway said today. The building is over 50 years old and has since been used mostly for storage. The only things inside were some office furniture, computers and other items, he said. “I guess Mother Nature and the age of the building, the weight collapsed it,” Hathaway said. “Thank the Lord, nobody was hurt.” It was estimated around a foot of snow fell around the Parkersburg area between Sunday and Monday. Matthews said caution tape was put up and the scene cleared at 11:14 p.m. An electric pole also was pulled down by the collapse, and MonPower was notified, he said. It was not immediately clear Tuesday afternoon whether there had been any loss of power as a result. Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com.