Two injured when porch collapses

By ROGER ADKINS
VIENNA — Two people were injured Tuesday when a porch broke free from a garage apartment and fell about 20 feet.

The incident occurred shortly before 8 p.m. at 5606 1/2 Fourth Ave., said Assistant Chief Steve Scholl of the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department.

Scholl said two people were on the porch and were taken to the hospital after sustaining minor injuries. The two individuals, Denver Hayes, 69, and Katrina Marie Massey, 28, were not seriously injured, said Vienna fire Chief Danny Goodwin.

“The porch gave way and fell with them on it,” Scholl said. “They were both scuffed up, but there were no apparent injuries other than some cuts.”

Both were residents of the apartment, which is owned by Burt Hayes, the brother of Denver Hayes, Goodwin said.

Goodwin said termite damage to the wooden porch may have caused it to break free from the side of the building. “The wood was weak and their combined weight just caused it to fall,” he said.

The incident was called in by a neighbor across the street.

When firefighters arrived on the scene, Massey was sitting against the side of the building with Denver Hayes beside her.