Heavy snow, rain cause gas station collapse

POST FALLS — They're razing the roof at the Post Falls 76 Gas Mart.

Heavy, melting snow caused the canopy roof over the station's gas pumps at 211 E. Seltice Way to collapse early Thursday, but no one was underneath at the time.

"It's a good thing it happened at night," said Mark Grannis, the station's owner. "Stuff can be fixed. We're glad that nobody was hurt."

Grannis said the roof collapsed at 1:50 a.m. and only the cashier was on the property at the time.

Most of the convenience store — except for where the canopy over the pumps connected to it — was undamaged. Grannis said the gas pumps appeared to be fine as well.

The station re-opened later on Thursday.

Cannon Hill Industries demolished and disposed of the broken roof.

Grannis said it may be a month or so before the roof over the pumps is rebuilt because an engineer will need to be contacted, a building permit obtained and materials purchased.

"It will just be a little inconvenient for the customers for a while if it rains," he said.

Grannis said the structure is insured, but he didn't have an estimate on the amount of damages because it depends on if the pumps were damaged, what demolition fees cost and other factors.

With the snow melting in recent days, some people may think their collapsing rooftop concerns are alleviated, but Grannis wasn't shocked over the incident due to the constant pressure the snow has caused for two weeks, especially on flat roofs.

"It gets really heavy on the roofs," he said.