No Injuries as Deck Collapses on Walnut Street

Brookline’s building commissioner says recent warm weather and rains have only increased the risk of building collapse in Brookline, turning what was once light, fluffy snow into wet, heavy ice and slush.

The town saw its first weather-related collapse of the winter this morning when a rear deck on Walnut Street buckled under the weight of snow and ice. Statewide, 158 structure collapses had been reported to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency as of this morning.

No injuries have been reported in any of the collapses, including the incident in Brookline this morning.

Building Commissioner Mike Shepard said the owner of the home at 195 Walnut St. plans to hire a contractor to remove the damaged deck this winter and replace it sometime this spring. Shepard said the deck had not been in good condition even before the collapse.

“It was in bad shape anyway,” he said. “It was going to happen at some point.”

Shepard said town inspectors have spent the last week and a half reviewing town buildings and removing snow from roofs where necessary. Crews ended up shoveling snow off the roof of the Lawrence School and modular classrooms at the Driscoll School, among others.

“We’re trying to be safe rather than sorry,” Shephard said.

The commissioner said the recent warm weather rains have increased the risk of structure collapse in Brookline, particularly for buildings with flat roofs. He worries that the cold weather forecasted for later this week could cause more of that snow and slush to freeze, further worsening the problem.

The town has posted a variety of for safe snow removal on roofs and urges residents to seek the help of a professional whenever possible. Brookline’s can also answer questions.

Meanwhile, the town continues to ticket residential and commercial property owners who fail to clear sidewalks adjacent to their property, as required by town bylaws. Staff from four town departments—Police, Building, Health and Public Works—have been charged with enforcing the law.

Shepard said employees have been following up on complaints made to the as well as reporting violations they observe while doing their normal inspections.

“In most cases all you need is a warning,” he said.