By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – Heavy snow on roofs continues to take a toll in the Buffalo area. One of the worst incidents in recent days occurred Thursday morning when accumulated snow caused a roof to slide off the top of a home on Ashley Street on Buffalo's East Side. It caused structural damage beyond repair. The home was later demolished. Its occupants were safely evacuated by firefighters.
Jack Hess, chief of special operations for the Buffalo Fire Department, says firefighters have responded to more than two dozen collapsed roofs in recent days.
Hess says the first priority for firefighters responding to a collapsed roof is to safely evacuate those inside. He said they then make an assessment of the damage.
Hess said it's safe for people with flat roofs to go on top to clear snow. But he urges people with pitched roofs to hire a qualified professional for the job.