JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The roof of a century-old building on East 11th Street in Springfield collapsed Monday as renovations were underway to convert the structure into an animal rescue shelter.
"The house has been here for 100 years and, with care, it would’ve gone on for 100 longer," owner Ann Chisholm said. "Now I am faced with a devastating situation to start all over again."
Chisholm is heartbroken. Since she bought the building in August 2017, she's been getting it ready to open as Anny McFur Inc., a home for animals. She said she was about six months away from opening it as a pet rescue.
"I have animals that need me and I need a place and now we are set back," Chisholm said.
Sky4 aerials who a hole in the roof that was described as about 30 feet long. From the ground, you can see the sides of the building leaning out and the concrete chimney cracked.
Charles Harrison, Chisolm’s assistant, saw the roof cave in soon after he said a construction supply company loaded more than 3,600 pounds of shingles onto the historic building.
"All of the sudden, you just heard of this big pop," Harrison said. "It was just too much weight. You’re talking about 19 squares of shingles in an 8-foot radius, I just think that’s a tad too much."
Gulfeagle Supply workers loaded and stacked the shingles back onto their truck before pulling away. The company has not responded to a News4Jax request for comment.
"It’s just a disaster the last day of the year. Just a disaster," Harrison said.