Honk News – Ten individuals were injured when a LEGO display collapsed onto a crowd of children and adults at an arcade in Massachusetts, according to officials.
A report from the Peabody Police Department on Facebook stated that the incident occurred at In the Game on Lowell Street in Peabody, Mass., on Tuesday, Dec. 31.
“Earlier today, a display was pulled down by balloons attached to it, causing it to fall,” wrote the department. “Ten individuals sustained minor injuries. Eight were transported to the hospital for treatment, while two refused medical transport.”
The event was promoted as a midday celebration to welcome the new year, featuring a balloon drop and a shower of confetti, as stated on In the Game’s website.
In a phone interview after the incident, Peabody Fire Chief John Dowling informs PEOPLE that his department first got a report regarding a ceiling collapse at In the Game around 12:07 p.m., local time. Initially, the first unit on the scene reported that there was no structural collapse; instead, a LEGO display from a balcony had fallen.
A CBS affiliate, WBZ, reported that the LEGO display stands at 8 feet in height.
“They [the In the Game employees] were trying to release balloons that were all up on a big net,” Dowling tells PEOPLE. “The net was not releasing and I think that’s when they started pulling on harder that caused the LEGO structure to collapse onto a large group of people.”
A Facebook user shared a video that seemingly captures the instant the netting holding the balloons fell, followed by a loud crash as the display came down, according to The Boston Globe.
“Large LEGO pieces were everywhere, kids were crying, there were tons of people all in the office some with ice packs over their heads and people allowing their children to steal the Lego pieces like souvenirs,” Lawren Turco, who was at the event with her family, said. “It was pure chaos. I had no idea of the true events until after the incident,” he added.
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Dowling has confirmed that ten individuals, including four adults and six children, sustained minor injuries consisting of cuts and scrapes.
The fire chief stated that In the Game resumed operations after fire authorities departed the scene 35 minutes later. Dowling characterizes the incident as unintentional.