A meditation facility in Essa Township was evacuated Wednesday evening after part of the structure collapsed.
Emergency crews were called around 6:40 p.m. to 6486 County Road 56, home to the Vipassana Centre, following reports of a structural failure. Officials say everyone inside exited safely before the roof gave way.
Firefighters secured the building by shutting off utilities and setting up a safety perimeter amid concerns about a potential secondary collapse. Deputy Fire Chief Gary McNamara said no injuries were reported. The centre is built to accommodate roughly 100 to 150 people in an auditorium-style layout, along with several meditation rooms.
A municipal building official deemed the structure unsafe for occupancy, and hydro crews were brought in to assist. While the exact cause remains under investigation, authorities have not ruled out recent snowfall as a possible factor.
Fire officials, building inspectors and representatives from the organization’s insurance provider are expected to continue examining the site.