Desert Sky Mall reopens after partial ceiling collapse

Desert Sky Mall back open after ceiling collapse

Portions of Desert Sky Mall in the West Valley are back open, a day after a partial ceiling collapse that resulted in damages to some businesses. FOX 10's Nicole Krasean has more.

PHOENIX - A mall in the West Valley reopened on Nov. 20, a day after a partial ceiling collapse.

What we know:

The west Phoenix mall, where the partial "drop ceiling" collapse was reported, was located at 75th Ave and West Thomas Road. The collapse caused a main water line to be severed.

Todd Keller, with the fire department, said the collapse occurred at Somos Dental and Orthodonics, while patients were inside. 

What they're saying:

The partial drop ceiling collapse did not involve the mall's structural roof. It happened as an intense storm was moving through Phoenix on Wednesday.

"After the hail starts coming down. I hear a really loud pop. I hear another pop. So when the second pop goes off, both the doctor and I look at the ceiling and we can clearly see all of the cracks. At that point he immediately starts evacuating all of our ortho patients and I started evacuated the rest of the office," witness Bianca Esquer said.

The mall was evacuated.

"That’s when we actually see the ceiling collapse," Esquer said.

"Due to the fire suppression system (sprinklers) being disabled and flooding, the entire mall will be closed for an unknown amount of time," the department said. The damage spread from the dental office to multiple businesses inside the mall.

Phoenix mall evacuated after partial roof collapse

A dental office inside the Desert Sky Mall was evacuated just minutes before the ceiling caved in on Wednesday evening. FOX 10's Taylor Wirtz hears from a witness to the partial roof collapse.

Officials said no one was injured.

"I’m just glad everyone got out okay and everyone is safe," Esquer said.

What Happened Thursday:

The mall reopened for its normal operating hours, but a small portion of the mall, including the dental office, remain closed due to the damage.

Man recalls similar incident at the mall

On Nov. 20, we spoke with Daniel Morrow, who witnessed a similar incident decades earlier, in 1999.

"I just kinda wonder if that whole mall area is, just maybe cursed or something," said Morrow.

What He Said:

Morrow said the incident he witnessed also happened during a day of intense weather.

"The microburst hit, and the rain was coming down sideways, looking out the glass windows of the food court," Morrow recounted.

Morrow left the arcade near the food court, just in time.

"Just heard some loud noises, some crashes and some bangs, and then looking back at the arcade, you can just see the giant hole had come through, and it was filled with water," Morrow said.

Morrow said he has not visited the mall in years, but he won't count out a future visit.

"I'll just wait until it's a dry day before I go check it out again," said Morrow.

Map of where the partial collapse was reported