DULUTH — A large portion of the Miller Hill Mall's roof collapsed Tuesday morning, spilling a hill of snow, structural supports, wires and ceiling tiles onto a concourse between Express and a Caribou Coffee kiosk at the 50-year-old shopping center.
No injuries were reported, according to city spokeswoman Kelli Latuska.
Shops were not yet open when emergency authorities were called at 9 a.m., but mall walkers and staff were on-site. The building was evacuated and is closed, including Essentia Health's Miller Hill Health Plaza and the St. Louis County Auditor Service Center, both located in different areas of the 800,000-square-foot mall.
Barnes & Noble manager Scott Skar said he heard a loud noise, "like something rolling across the roof."
He saw snow in the concourse that reached the ceiling — and a gaping hole.
"It was shocking to see open sky," Skar said.
Before the collapse, a crew was on the roof clearing off the most recent snowfall. They had cordoned off the concourse beneath them while they worked, according to Duluth Fire Chief Shawn Krizaj. The workers reportedly stopped and evacuated when they heard "popping sounds."
The Duluth branch of the National Weather Service, which is about 4 miles from the mall, said it had received 12.5 inches of snow during the most recent storm system.
