Bell Tower Plaza Roof Collapse Under Investigation

BRISTOL, RI —Wednesday's roof collapse at Bell Tower Plaza is under investigation, according to town officials. Thursday, the Building Inspector returned to the strip mall at 576 Metacom Ave.

A roof partially collapsed during Winter Storm Stella around 3 p.m. Wednesday. No one was injured. That store was vacant.

The plaza was evacuated for safety reasons, and the business owners have been notified they cannot enter their businesses or re-open until the Town has completed its investigation.

The business owners also were asked to conduct an engineering analysis of all the roofs in the plaza. They have hired Trinity Engineering, the Town said.

The Building Inspector's office will review that engineering study, and so will the Town's consulting engineers Caputo & Wick. Based on the conclusions, the business owners will be allowed to return, the office said.