A second-story deck collapse at a Snoqualmie apartment building on Tuesday evening sent one man to the hospital and renewed focus on structural safety inspections.
At 9:25 p.m. on August 12, Snoqualmie firefighters responded to the collapse at an apartment building on SE Newton Street in historic Snoqualmie. One man and two dogs fell into a ground-floor shed when their second-story deck gave way. After approximately 40 minutes, firefighters successfully rescued the trapped individual and animals. The man was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
A neighboring resident who witnessed the emergency response said they heard the collapse from their home next door around 9:20 p.m. The neighbor reported seeing at least six emergency vehicles respond to the scene and observed fire crews quickly placing bracing around the collapsed balcony debris.
According to the witness, the balcony appeared to have been storing what looked like propane tanks and other materials, suggesting it may have been overloaded. The neighbor expressed concerns about the overall condition of the property, claiming they had previously filed complaints with the city about code violations.
“Thankfully, the resident involved in this incident was not more seriously injured,” said Snoqualmie Fire Chief Mike Bailey. “We advise all residents to conduct regular inspections of their decks to identify and address potential structural issues, which could lead to collapse and injuries.”
The incident highlights critical deck safety measures property owners should follow. Officials recommend that decks older than 15 years be professionally evaluated and that all property owners conduct annual inspections for rusted fasteners, rotted wood, and proper structural connections. Commercial properties are required to post occupant load limits, and all deck users should avoid overcrowding and exceeding the weight capacity.
