Roof caves in at Fantasías Miguel in downtown Mérida
The roof caved in at Fantasías Miguel in the Centro around 6 p.m. Monday.
Shoppers and employees were evacuated out of the store when large sections of the ceiling began to crumble.
After an initial search for victims, authorities deployed specially trained rescue dogs to search inside the store.
No fatalities or serious injuries were reported, countering an early newspaper posting that indicated at least one fatality.
In photos and video shared online, large sections of the roof, including steel-reinforced beams can be seen on the floor.
Earlier: Progreso bar, site of fatal accident, operated illegally
According to eyewitnesses, the collapse happened very suddenly but did not affect the entirety of the structure, allowing for a swift escape through the main exit.
The causes of the roof collapse are still unknown, but it is likely that the structural integrity of the building was compromised by last week’s powerful storms.
The three-story Fantasías Miguel, on the corner of 58 and 59, sells craft, art supplies and party favors. A newer branch is on the Prologacíon of the Paseo Montejo.
Related: Church gets much-needed repairs after damaging rains
Senior Editor Carlos Rosado van der Gracht is a Mexican expedition/Canadian photographer and adventure leader. Born in Mérida, Carlos holds multimedia, philosophy, and translation degrees from universities in Mexico, Canada and Norway.
