Commercial Building Roof Sagging, May Collapse

UPDATE, 5:31 p.m.: Woburn Fire has cleared the scene of the possible roof collapse at 55 Dragon Court. Fire officials report water has been shut off in the area, as well, and incident command has been terminated.

According to radio transmissions, National Grid has shut off gas from the outside of the building, and will shut off gas service to the street as a precaution. WFD requests the city's plumbing department be notified of the situation so an inspection can be made before the gas and water is turned back on in the building tomorrow. 

A structural engineering company is expected to arrive on scene later tonight to shore up the building. 

UPDATE, 4:55 p.m.: National Grid has arrived on scene and is working with Woburn Fire officials.

UPDATE, 4:45 p.m.: As of 4:45 p.m. today, the city's Building Inspector has been notified of the possible structural damage to the 55 Dragon Court building, which houses commercial business Lytron. 

The building's roof is buckling in a 20-by-40-foot area and is reportedly sagging by about 6 to 8 inches. 

According to radio transmissions, Lytron has contacted a structural support company to come to the scene and "shore up" the building.

4:30 p.m. 

Woburn Police and Fire have been dispatched to 55 Dragon Court, the Lytron commercial building, for a report of a “possible roof cave-in.”

According to Woburn Fire radio transmissions, there is a possibility of a roof collapse because the roof has visibly sagged approximately 6 to 8 inches.

At 4:33 p.m., Woburn Fire reported a 20 by 40-foot section of the roof had "buckled" in, but had not collapsed.  

The call came into Woburn Police at 4:17 p.m. and apparatus were immediately sent out to the building.

Callers reported a strong odor of gas in the building. At 4:33 p.m., Woburn Fire reported shutting off the gas, while waiting for National Grid to arrive.

The building was evacuated.

Police and Fire officials are still on scene, investigating.

Woburn Patch will update with more information as it becomes available.