Bracebridge Ont. porch collapses under heavy snow

Porch collapse on Lambert Road in Bracebridge Ont. on Feb. 26, 2025. (Cheryl Smith)

A family in Bracebridge Ont., is dealing with the aftermath of a porch collapse after a heavy snowfall in late February.

The incident occurred on the morning of Feb., 26, when the wooden porch of a brick home gave way under the weight of the harsh snowfall.

The homeowner, Cheryl Smith, who had lived in the house for three years with her family, prepared for the northern weather by installing snow guards on the roof.

On the morning of the incident, Cheryl said her daughter heard a loud cracking sound while letting their Great Dane, Milo, outside for his morning business.

Cheryl said her daughter quickly ran inside to alert her mother, who rushed out to check on the front porch. By the time Cheryl got outside, the roof was already shifting—leaning about a foot away from the brick exterior.

The Bracebridge resident told CTV on Thursday that the snow was recently removed from her roof at the end of January.

Roofers were called to her home and arrived within 30 minutes to brace the structure. But as they worked, they heard loud noises coming from the front of the home.

Sensing the imminent danger, Cheryl said she instructed everyone to evacuate their house... and within moments the entire porch roof collapsed while the family and roofers watched in awe.

One of the workers, who anticipated this outcome, coincidentally recorded the dramatic moment on video.

The collapsed porch remains on the ground buried under the most recent snowfall. Cheryl said she has contacted her insurance company for the next steps.

The Smith family confirmed the rest of the home remains in tact with minor damages.

Fire Department urges residents to report structural incidents:

Fire officials say this is not an isolated event this winter. Chief Ryan Murrell of the Muskoka Lakes Fire Department stressed the importance of reporting these types of structural incidents to fire services.

In a collapse, Muskoka Lakes Fire Department suggests the following:

Call for emergency services: The fire department says they will notify other agencies such as Electrical Safety, Ministry of Environment, emergency services, police, Hydro One, the building department and others as required.

Move to safety: Move to a safe location and protect yourself and others from secondary collapses.

Avoid entering the structure: Do not attempt to enter the structure to perform a rescue.

Notify emergency responders: If you know any person is trapped, location, ignition items, hazardous areas such as electrical panels and gas / propane connections.

Stay in a safe place: Do not use broken stairs or elevators.