Ceiling collapses in Berkeley building
Mar 05, 2026
BERKELEY, Calif. (KRON) -- The ceiling of a check cashing business in Berkeley collapsed on workers Thursday and one person was transported to a hospital.
Just before 10:15 a.m., the Berkeley Fire Department received a 911 call reporting that the ceiling of the Ace Cash Express on San Pablo Avenue
had collapsed.
Hans Reinharet, who owns a business next door, said his wife heard screaming. "People screaming and running out, and of course she asked them what is going on," Reinharet said.
One worker suffered minor injuries. Other workers who were inside the store declined medical treatment.
The area was taped-off while a city safety inspector surveyed the damages. Officials red-tagged the building due to "ceiling lath and plaster failure," a note on the door stated.
A fire department spokesperson told KRON4, "The lath and plaster from the underside of the roof framing failed and fell onto the lower framing T-bar, and ceiling tile in the customer lobby. Damage appeared to be isolated to the one business."
Fire officials say the cause of the collapse is unknown.
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