Families displaced after apartment roof collapses in Jacksonville's New Town neighborhood

Several families were forced out of their homes Friday after their New Town apartment building was condemned because its roof collapsed.

“As they kept beating, trying to get the nails out, I guess he hit too hard and it just crashed everywhere,” said Jamese McKennon.

McKennon was inside her home and did not realize the roof above her was collapsing.

“The back of our house is tilted. It shifted a little bit. It’s not stable,” said McKennon.

McKennon said all of the damage happened Thursday, but fire crews didn’t respond until Friday, more than 24 hours later.

“Someone called and let them know what happened yesterday, and they came out and reported today and condemned everything,” said McKennon.

Neighbors sent Action News Jax video taken just seconds after the roof fell. The video shows debris on the floor and cracks in the wall.

”It’s very frustrating. It’s upsetting. It’s like my world is just crashing in on me. I just don’t know. I’m about to lose everything. I don’t have nothing,” said McKennon. "Our landlord said he couldn’t help us, and we need help. He said it wasn’t his fault."

McKennon said she blames her landlord for her roof collapsing.

“I was asleep on the couch and I heard a big boom. I opened up my eyes and it was a lot of debris on top of me,” said Mrea Sanders.

Sanders also said her landlord is to blame.

Action News Jax found a recent inspection report for the address of the home on the Jacksonville Code of Enforcement website. The inspector left comments, stating he removed rotten boards from the home and placed them on the lot next door. Meanwhile, McKennon said someone needs to be held responsible for putting their lives in jeopardy.

The American Red Cross is helping the families who lived in the home.

Cox Media Group