The Preserve at Chocorua – NBC Boston

Multiple people were hurt when a floor collapsed during a wedding ceremony in the White Mountains community of Tamworth, New Hampshire, on Saturday.

New Hampshire State Fire Marshal Sean Toomey told NBC10 Boston crews on scene that there were 911 calls around 4:30 p.m. for a collapse at the Sap House at The Preserve at Chocorua, located at at 88 Philbrick Neighborhood Road. Callers told police that more than 100 people were on the floor when it collapsed into the basement, trapping multiple people under beams and farming equipment.

The Tamworth Fire Department initially responded and requested a mass casualty incident once they determined the number of people involved. Multiple mutual aid partners arrived to assist at the scene, and the Tamworth Police Department announced a temporary road closure as the fire departments worked the incident.

People were asked to avoid the area and seek alternate routes due to the large emergency response that included members of the state fire marshal’s office.

There were six adults ultimately transported to area hospitals, according to the New Hampshire Department of Safety. Multiple other guests were treated at the scene, however, the Tamworth Fire Department added.

There were no fatalities.

A preliminary investigation shows about half of the floor had collapsed at the Sap House just at the start of the wedding ceremony. There were 144 people inside at the time, and nearly 70 — about half of the guests — fell through an approximately 20-by-20-foot opening into the basement.

Toomey said firefighters arrived on scene to find the venue’s staff and several wedding guests had already provided initial first aid to some guests and used ladders to help some people who fell through the collapsed floor. Others were able to get out on their own, and the rest were pulled out by the fire department.

Of the six who were taken to hospitals for treatment, four have since been released. Two remain hospitalized, Toomey said. The full extent of injuries as a result of the incident remains under investigation.

“We’re very fortunate that more people didn’t get seriously injured out here tonight. it’s a testament to the folks, the staff and the other wedding guests, that stepped up immediately to help render aid and get people out of harm’s way, get them to safety,” Toomey said. “I think the overall outcome between their initial actions and then the actions of the fire department made a big difference here tonight.”

Tamworth Fire Department

Tamworth Fire Department

It’s too early to say exactly what happened, according to Toomey, but officials are looking at an overloading situation where there were too many people in the building, causing the floor to collapse. Investigators and an inspector from the fire marshal’s office are on scene evaluating, and they’ll continue their work over the coming weeks.

Toomey said the Preserve is from the late 1700s, but the exact age of the Sap House was not immediately known. The venue’s website describes the Sap House as “a quintessential New England Maple Sugar shack with endless uses. Host an intimate ceremony, stage with stately furniture for a lounge feel, or host an indoor/outdoor cocktail hour. Custom uses for your event are endless.”

NBC10 Boston has reached out to The Preserve at Chocorua for comment but has not heard back yet.

The Preserve at Chocorua bills itself as a stunning 26-acre natural retreat encompassing a historic farmhouse, barn, carriage house and cottages. The Preserve was among the earliest farms to open its doors and was known as “Hayford’s in the Fields” in the 1890s, according to the wedding venue’s website.

Investigators do believe the building was over capacity prior to the floor collapse and are asking anyone with information that may assist them to contact the state fire marshal’s office, which is leading the investigation, at 603-223-4289 or [email protected].