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‘Chaos': 30 Injured After Floor Collapses During Party at Clubhouse in Clemson

"We're just thankful that it was not any worse than it was," the police chief said

A party turned to "chaos" early Sunday when the floor of a clubhouse near Clemson University collapsed and left 30 people injured, police said.

Authorities were called about 12:30 a.m. to The Woodlands Apartments clubhouse in South Carolina after the building's first story floor gave way during a private party with Clemson University students and others. Chief of Police Jimmy Dixon described the scene as "chaos."

Video posted to social media showed people dancing before the floor caved in and crashed to the next level of the structure, leaving a large hole in the middle of the room. Dozens of people fell through while many still standing looked on or recorded the incident with their phones. People could be heard shouting and screaming in the footage.

Thirty people sustained non-life threatening injuries including fractures, broken bones and lacerations. Those injured were taken to local hospitals by Clemson University emergency services. Police said there were no entrapments.

"We're just thankful that it was not any worse than it was," Dixon told reporters.

The investigation is ongoing, and Dixon said the building's codes and structure will be evaluated.

Clemson sophomore Larissa Stone told the Independent Mail of Anderson that the room was "packed" and a popular song was playing when the floor collapsed.

"So everyone was jumping. The beat was about to drop and literally the whole floor collapsed," she said. "It happened so quickly. I stood up, and everyone was trying to climb out. People are under other people. People are hurt. People are bleeding. I had blood on my sneakers. It was really bad."

A witness who attended the party said people were jumping when he heard a sudden "boom."

"All you seen was falling, everybody's hands up in the air," Franzie Pendergrass told WYFF News 4.

Leroy Pearson said he went to try to help injured people and saw what he thought looked like broken ankles and legs.

"It was crazy," Pearson said.

Property manager Tal Slann told The Associated Press that the condominium complex was built in 2004-2005. He said he could not comment on whether there was a limit on the number of people who were supposed to use the clubhouse at one time.

"I can tell you there was a party. I can tell you there was a floor collapse. There were injuries. They were not life-threatening. Nobody was trapped," he said.

Slann sent residents of The Woodlands an email saying the floor in front of the clubhouse fireplace had collapsed during a party.

"The Clubhouse and pool area is OFF LIMITS to all," said a copy of the email texted to the AP. "The clubhouse will be inspected by structural engineers as soon as possible. From there, the homeowner's association will determine how to rebuild the clubhouse to make it safe for all residents. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who were injured and we apologize for any inconvenience."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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