CARRABASSETT VALLEY — A fire escape collapsed Saturday night at the Rack bar and grill near Sugarloaf ski resort, sending at least 10 people tumbling 15 feet to the ground below, according to police.

Four of the victims were transported to Franklin Memorial Hospital with injuries ranging from lacerations to broken bones, Carrabassett Valley police said in a statement. Police did not release the victims’ names this morning.

The police statement described the victims as “Reggae Festival revelers,” referring to the annual spring music and ski festival being held this weekend at Sugarloaf ski resort.

The victims used the fire escape door on the second floor in the rear of the building to get onto the fire escape, which collapsed around midnight, the police statement said.

Jeff Strunk, co-owner of the Rack,  said he would not comment on the incident until the investigation is complete. He said he owns the bar and grill with snowboader Seth Wescott, the 2006 Olympic gold medal-winner, and Chase McKendry.

State Fire Marshal’s Office investigators arrived at the scene this morning to investigate the incident, police said in the statement.

Carrabassett Valley police and fire units responded to the collapse. The fire department from Kingfield and emergency responders from Northstar also assisted at the scene.


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