5 displaced after New Town apartment building's roof collapses

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Five people have been displaced after the roof of a multifamily home collapsed in the New Town neighborhood of Northwest Jacksonville.

The Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department was called about 4:45 p.m. Friday to the structure on Barnett Street near Kings Road.

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Officials said the roof started to collapse Thursday night, but was made worse Friday afternoon while crews were doing shingling work on the roof. 

Lurea Sanders, who is one of the five people displaced, said she was the only person inside at the time.

"They were fixing on the roof and I was on the couch asleep and I heard a big boom and the roof was coming in," Sanders said. "When I opened my eyes, the debris was all over me. I jumped up, ran to the balcony. I couldn't run down the stairs because the stairs is separated from the wall."

She was able to get out. She said she's thankful her daughter, who is pregnant, and her son-in-law were not there at the time. 

Another resident, Darlene Brown, said she had lived in the building for less than a week.

"You can see the way the termites ate the wood," Brown said. "I think if people pay their rent, and they're doing right by the landlord, then I think you should make sure that their living arrangements are proper and kept up."

The landlord, who was on the scene Friday, did not wish to comment.

According to Brown, the building was condemned. She said she hopes God will help her find a new place. 

"I asked God for a blessing. That's all I can do is pray for something better. I'm just thankful that nobody get hurt. That's the only thing. I thank God no one got hurt ," Brown said.

The Red Cross was called to help the families.