Louisiana Fast Food Restaurant Roof Collapse Due to Heavy Rain

February 7, 2014

Investigators still are trying to determine what caused the roof of a Wendy’s restaurant near Covington, La., to collapse, though they suspect heavy rain may be to blame.

St. Tammany Fire District No. 12 responded to the restaurant around after 9 p.m. Tuesday after the manager reported smelling gas and the roof of the building had suddenly collapsed.

Firefighters say a customer pointed out the roof leaking into the dining room, and employees asked the customer to leave as a precaution. The roof caved in moments later.

No injuries were reported.

Firefighters tell The Times-Picayune they believe the recently remodeled building may have collapsed due to inadequate drainage on the roof, which caused rainwater to pool. However, no definite cause has been determined.