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Show Roof Collapses at Ruby's Inn; Damage Tops $200,000 RUBY'S INN Increased weight from 27 inches of new fallen snow, added to the already accumulated ' heavy mass from previous snowfalls, caused the collapse of the roof of the banquet room at Ruby's Inn Thursday morning, resulting in damages estimated at more than $200,000. Marie Pollock, 19, Tropic, an employee at the Inn said she had been working in the adjacent dining room just prior to the roofs collapse. Investigating what she thought to. be someone knocking at the rear door of the banquet room, she heard continued popping and cracking sounds and suddenly caught sight of a large crack working its way across the north ceiling. Exiting quickly, she immediately summoned Bob Syrett, reservations manager who accompanied her into the banquet room to assess the situation. Noting the cracked and now sagging ceiling and sensing they had but moments before the roof might topple, the two fled to warn other workers already shoveling snow off an adjoining roof. After alerting others, brothers Bob and Mondell Syrett made their way back into the attic to determine if there might be sufficient time to remove some of the snow and avoid complete collapse of the roof. Upon reaching the attic, however, the two witnessed several joists snapping like toothpicks and realized collapse was imminent. Only moments after their retreat to safety, all support gave way bringing destruction of the 200 seat capacity banquet hall, surrounding kitchen storage area, restrooms, and television and telephone control centers. Grateful the accident occurred during morning hours when the rooms were relatively unoccupied and employees were on hand to shut down electric lines and broken water pipes, the Syrelts stated that a Lions Club banque. for 40 people had been i scheduled for that same evening. Completed in 1976, the two year old newer section of the Inn which collapsed, had been constructed after consultation with an engineering firm, and special trusses, designed to hold from 6-8 feet of snow were installed. The Syrett brothers, sons of owner Carl, and grandsons of Ruby Syrett, founder of the popular resort, stated that business would continue as usual since the kitchen and main dining room, part of the original structure, remained undamaged and completely safe. Plans were already underway, prior to the collapse, to build a new lodge immediately across the highway. This venture includes dining facilities to accommodate 1,000 people, plus an additional 100 new motel units, service station, grocery and gift shop. Completion date being set for March 1980, some immediate repairs will have to be made, stated the Syrette. Damages estimated at over $200,000 multed when roof of banquet hall at Ruby's Inn coiUpted under weight of snow last week. The section of the historic resort, was built In 1177. Owners said business will continue |