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Roof of condo building at a B.C. ski resort collapses overnight

The building had over a dozen occupants when the roof came thundering down at around 3 a.m.
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The roof of the Snow Ghost Inn collapsed early in the morning of April 20, 2020. Photo courtesy Jacky Seigo Martin

The roof of the Snow Ghost Inn collapsed overnight. The building is located at the Big White Ski Resort in Beaverdell, B.C.

Photos on the Big White Community News Facebook page show the inner courtyard roof and debris collapsed on the ground.

Big White vice-president Michael J. Ballingall said about 14 or 15 people were in the Snow Ghost Inn when its central courtyard roof collapsed

According to resident reports, the massive roof collapse into the inner atrium/pool area happened about 3 a.m.

The condo-type building was built in 1979.

An inspection of the damage is expected today in the wake of the collapse.

Residents praised the response of the Big White Fire Department and resort staff as the building was evacuated and all occupants accounted for.

No injuries were reported, but Ballingall said "the first thing you've got to think of is finding some place warm for these people. Our biggest space is the Village Centre Mall, so we moved people there."

Other Big White residents immediately offered up their homes to take in those displaced.

"Thank you so very much to Big White Ski Resort for providing shelter and blankets to those in need last night. Please respond if you are able to assist with accommodation first and foremost, or any other assistance that you may have to offer," Jacky Seigo Martin posted on the community page.

Ballingall described the Snow Ghost as one of the resort's "vintage buildings."

It's not yet known what the incident means for the future of the building.

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