Floor collapse at Tamworth wedding venue Saturday leaves 6 injured

TAMWORTH — Six people were injured and taken to the hospital after the floor of a wedding venue collapsed over the weekend.

Two remained hospitalized Monday afternoon, according to a New Hampshire Department of Safety spokesperson. Their conditions were unknown. 

New Hampshire State Fire Marshal Sean P. Toomey and Tamworth Fire/Rescue Chief Richard Colcord said Saturday a joint investigation into the incident will be conducted, according to a press release.

Members of Tamworth Fire/Rescue responded to The Preserve at Chocorua, on Philbrook Neighborhood Road, just after 4:30 p.m. on March 21. They had received reports a floor collapsed during a wedding. Callers reported more than 100 people were in the building when the floor collapsed into the basement, and people were trapped under beams and farm equipment.

Investigators confirmed Monday the distance between the floor and the basement is approximately eight-feet. 

First responders learned upon arrival that venue staff and guests of the wedding already provided first aid to some guests, and apparently used ladders to help those who fell through the collapsed floor. Firefighters helped other guests, and began evaluating people who reported injuries. Mutual aid partners from surrounding communities were called to the scene or asked to provide station coverage. 

Six adults were taken by ambulance, with non-life-threatening injuries, to area hospitals, and other guests were treated at the scene, according to the Office of the New Hampshire Department of Safety. Four of the people hospitalized were released by 10:43 p.m. on Saturday. 

The full extent of injuries remains under investigation. 

Just before 5:30 p.m. on March 21, Tamworth Police temporarily closed the road, and told travelers to seek alternate routes while first responders worked at the venue. The road was reopened by 8 p.m., according to a department social media post. 

State Fire Marshal’s Office investigators came to the scene, and are leading the investigation into the incident. The preliminary investigation indicated that, at the start of the wedding ceremony, 144 guests were in the venue’s Sap House building when the floor collapsed, and nearly 70 people — about half of the total number of guests — fell through an opening into the basement approximately 20-by-20 feet in size. 

Since the incident occurred, investigators conducted follow-up interviews and collected records related to the property — including past inspections, permits, and applicable building fire codes. Investigators noted the capacity for safe exit is not calculated the same way as the structural load-bearing capacity of a floor system. 

Preliminary findings indicate the Sap House building, where the floor collapsed, predates state building code. The occupancy for the space, as required by state fire code, remains under review. The layout of the space, seating types and the exit capacity are factors being considered.

"The property owner has been cooperative throughout the investigation, which remains ongoing," a Monday afternoon press release reads. 

Tamworth Chief Colcord did not immediately return a request for comment. Attempts to reach representatives of the wedding venue were unsuccessful. 

Though the investigation is in early stages, investigators believe the building was over capacity prior to the floor collapse. Anyone with information to help the investigation should contact the State Fire Marshal’s Office at 603-223-4289 or fmo@dos.nh.gov.