Chimney crashes through store roof

Ken Johnston
Editor

The roof and ceiling came crashing in at Susan’s Corner Grocery Store in Rainy River Thursday when a portion of the chimney fell into the store.

The store was having the old brick chimney removed Thursday morning. Ropes were fastened to it to pull it off but instead of falling away from the building the top portion of it accidentally fell towards it. Bricks and mortar passed through the shingles, wood, and ceiling tiles like they were paper.

Employee and daughter-in-law of owner Susan Carpenter, Lainey Carpenter was caught by debris and ended up with a broken leg. She was transferred to Thunder Bay by ambulance where she was attended to. She is expected to make a full recovery.

A customer, Florence Hodges, was hit by some of the debris but was reported not to have severe injuries.

The grocery store was closed Thursday afternoon, all day Friday and Saturday but did fill phoned in delivery orders.

A contractor was working on repairs while it was closed and the store reopened Monday.