No cause yet in 'green roof' collapse in St. Charles

A large portion of the self-proclaimed “largest sloping green roof in North America” collapsed in St. Charles Sunday afternoon.

It is unclear what caused a 500 by 60 foot portion of the roof at St. Charles-based Aquascape's headquarters, Aqualand, 901 Aqualand Way, to fall, according to the St. Charles Fire Department.

Firefighters responded to a fire alarm at the building at 3:30 p.m. and while en route, were notified that neighbors reported a portion of the roof had collapsed, according to the department.

The first emergency crews on the scene found that the green roof over the south parking area of the company had collapsed onto a paved parking area, but no one was trapped or injured.

All utilities were disconnected to the building and a perimeter was secured, officials said.

As of Sunday night, the building was deemed unsafe for occupancy until a structural engineer could evaluate the conditions, the fire department said.

The roof of the 256,000-square-foot building is the largest sloping green roof in North America and is planted with native prairie grass and flowers, according to the company's website. Aquascape provides products to customers developing man-made ponds and other “water gardening” structures.

A loss estimate was not available Sunday night while St. Charles Emergency Management members remained at the building to provide scene security.