1 dead in Lubbock restaurant roof collapse

[TexasStooge]

LUBBOCK, Texas (DallasNews.com/AP) – Strong wind gusts were believed to be responsible for the collapse of a roof at a Lubbock restaurant Monday that killed a 23-year-old woman and injured nine other people.

"We feel like wind had something to do with it but we're not sure what or how," Lubbock fire department spokesman Mark Ethridge said.

Wind gusts in some parts of the city reached 61 mph Monday, which forecasters said was unusual for this time of the year.

The collapse was reported about 12:30 p.m. CST. It was unclear now many patrons in all were in the restaurant at the time. All were believed accounted for within a couple of hours, Ethridge said.

The Lubbock Fire Marshal's Office was continuing to investigate.

Officials said those taken to two area hospitals were in stable condition with non-life threatening injuries.

When authorities arrived at the scene they had to stabilize what was left of the single story, brick structure before beginning to search for those beneath the rubble.

Wood boards, aluminum duct work and pink insulation material were strewn between the three remaining walls and outside of the small eatery.

The name of the female victim was not immediately released.