JEFFERSON COUNTY — An annual party in the foothills of Jefferson County turned tragic Saturday afternoon when a deck collapsed at a home, critically injuring two people.
At least a dozen people were reported injured after a second-floor deck collapsed shortly before 4 p.m. during a barbecue at a home at 227 Lamb Lane on Lookout Mountain, said Mark Techmeyer, spokesperson for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
He said about 25 adults ages 21 to 50 years old were on the deck when it suddenly dropped 18 feet.
Witnesses told KCNC-Channel 4 that they heard a loud crack just before the deck collapsed.
Two people were critically injured, two were seriously injured and the rest suffered a variety of minor injuries, Techmeyer said. All the injured were taken to hospitals.
Neighbor Rommel Noufi said the family at 227 Lamb Lane annually hosts a party attended by friends and family.
“They are very quiet neighbors, very nice people,” said Noufi. “It’s all a sad accident.”
Techmeyer said a county building inspector had told him that the deck was “not up to today’s standards. It was aged, somewhat.”
County assessor’s records indicate the house was built in 1978, according to KMGH-Channel 7.
Noufi said the family moved into the home around 1994, and the deck did not appear to be have been replaced.
Deputies were on the scene Saturday evening interviewing people inside the house. Plastic cups and a couple of coolers were scattered on the ground around the wreckage of the deck. Christmas lights were dangling from the deck area, while chairs were strewn around the front lawn.
High winds were whipping around the house, even breaking the yellow police tape that encircled the front of the structure. However, it’s not known whether wind had anything to do with the collapse, Techmeyer said.
At one point, one of the occupants inspected the damage with a deputy.
Noufi said emergency crews arrived at the home in about four minutes.
Monte Whaley: 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com
