UPDATED: Dedham Mall Evacuated Due to Roof Collapse Fears

UPDATE: 12:30 P.M.: Structural engineers have reported to the scene to evaluate the stability of the roof, Dedham Fire Chief William Cullinane said Monday morning.

He said that the mall's roof won't likely collapse, but that the fire department is evaluating and monitoring the condition carefully.

"We are taking a precautionary approach," Cullinane said.

NStar workers also arrived on the scene as Cullinane said they smelled a faint odor of gas in Toys "R" Us, and some of the piping on the roof might have been "compromised."

The mall will bring a crane in to help remove the snow from the roof, which can't be dumped over the sides, the chief said.

The same roof collapsed during the blizzard of 1978, according to Cullinane.

The call came over at 8:45 a.m., and stores were not open to customers. All employees were evacuated safely, but an ambulance remained on the scene.

The stores will remain closed through the remainder of the day.

UPDATE: 11:00 A.M.: In addition to Sears and Toys “R” Us, , , , T.J. Maxx, , and Footaction have also been closed and evacuated.

According to Deputy Fire Chief Bill Spillane, there are “deformities in the roof.”

Spillane also stated that there is between one and five feet of snow on the roof presently. Additionally, there are three places in which the roof is sagging.

Authorities are still assessing the danger of a collapse and Nstar is on the scene due to gas units on the roof.

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and at the Dedham Mall were both evacuated Monday morning due to fears of a roof collapse.

Dedham public safety officials are taking precautionary measures because of excessive amounts of snow that are currently on top of the building.

Building Inspector Ken Cimeno, as well as Dedham Fire Department officials, are on the scene inside the building. Employees and customers have been evacuated from the stores without any reported injuries at this time.

Stay tuned to Dedham Patch for more information.