By Aaron Ye
BU News Service
BOSTON — The Common Ground Bar & Grill’s roof partially collapsed Sunday around 3 p.m., injuring two people and leaving six trapped inside the building for almost an hour, according to police.
The two wounded were taken in an ambulance from the Allston restaurant, located at 85 Harvard Avenue, to a nearby hospital, said Stephen Miller, deputy fire chief of Boston Fire Department. The police have not yet released the names of the injured victims.
“It was like thunder. It was like a big earthquake,” said Bob O’Guin, owner of the Common Ground Bar & Grill, who was also inside the building when the brick veneer on the restaurant’s wall fell onto the sidewalk.
Jonathan Aguyrre, an eyewitness who called 911, confirmed a woman was severely injured after the ceiling crumbled on top of her. She remained unconscious even after a group of people removed rocks off her and performed CPR.
“On her head, there was blood everywhere,” Aguyrre said.
Besides the two people injured, all six people trapped in the building were safely evacuated Miller said.
The police cleared and blocked the street immediately after the accident.
The building inspector was at the scene to evaluate the damages. All utilities inside the building were shut down, Miller said.
“This is the home for everyone,” said O’Guin, who has been running the business for the past 10 years.
The restaurant is expected to remain closed for at least six months. Reconstruction work will be needed before re-opening.
*Yun Choi contributed to the reporting of this story.
