Update: Investigators say the collapse of the 20-foot section of covered walkway was caused by a leak in the sprinkler system – most likely due to thawing of frozen pipes. The weight of the water that built up in the roof overhanging the walkway caused the supports to give way and collapse. All business in the Ranch 99 Market strip mall are open today except for a nail and hair salon, which has an entrance in the area where the roof collapsed. Damage is estimated at $20,000.

*****

No one was hurt when a roof over a walkway collapsed outside Ranch 99 Market last night.

Firefighters responded at 10:08 p.m. to the store after getting calls from the building’s alarm company and employees at a nearby espresso stand.

“Firefighters arrived to find a section of the covered walkway roof in front of the strip mall had collapsed. Sprinkler pipes in the overhang were broken and flowing water. Windows and glass doors under the collapse area were broken, and there was about a foot of standing water in front of the building,” said Leslie Hynes, spokesperson for Fire District 1.

The stores were closed for the night and no one was inside. Firefighters shut down the building’s sprinkler system and cleared drains to remove the standing water.

It’s not yet known what caused the roof to collapse.