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OAKDALE, Calif. —

A roof collapse at a grocery store in Oakdale injured two people and flooded the building, the Modesto Fire Department said.

The fire department responded to the Cost Less on North Yosemite around 2:25 p.m. Monday.

"At first we thought it was thunder, but it was a lot louder. We heard this—it felt like static in the air. As soon as we got over there, the store director opened the emergency door to get people out," said John Boyd an employee who was inside when the roof collapsed.

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Officials said when firefighters arrived, they found a 20-foot by 20-foot section of the roof collapsed in the front right corner of the store.

The two adults who were injured were in the immediate area of the collapse when it happened, the fire department said. They were able to get out of the rubble themselves before rescue crews arrived.

"We had to make sure that there were no individuals still inside. So our technical rescue team came and brought two trucks and our rescue company out," said Joseph Spani with Modesto Fire.

Modesto Fire Department

One of the injured parties was taken to an area hospital, officials said. Their condition is unknown.

Additionally, the fire department said the collapse damaged the fire sprinkler pipes, releasing a "significant amount" of water into the store.

Officials have not said what led to the collapse. Modesto Fire said the roof was about a year old.

"There were a couple of cells that moved through the area shortly before that, but we don't have a definitive cause as to why the collapse occurred," said Spani.

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A Northern California grocery store has closed indefinitely after a section of its roof collapsed on two shoppers.

On Monday, Modesto Fire Department crew members were dispatched to the Cost Less Food Company at 888 N. Yosemite Ave. in Oakdale after a 20-by-20-foot section of the roof fell inside the market, according to a Facebook post by the agency.

“At first we thought it was thunder, but it was a lot louder,” John Boyd, an employee at Cost Less Food Company, told KCRA. “As soon as we got over there, the store director opened the emergency door to get people out.”

Jim Black, the public information officer for the Modesto Fire Department, told SFGATE that the roof fell on top of two shoppers who were shopping in the produce section at the time. Both only sustained minor injuries, though one was taken to the hospital for medical care, Black said. A rescue team was also used to search the collapsed area thoroughly, but the agency determined that no other persons were in the building, he added.

On Facebook, the Modesto Fire Department shared photos of the aftermath, which showed portions of drywall and fresh produce scattered throughout the floor. In one photo, a section of the roof is seen folded into a well-stocked shelf. The market’s fire sprinkler system was also damaged, causing major flooding inside the store.

The Modesto Bee reports that Cost Less Food Company posted a sign over its storefront on Tuesday advising shoppers to visit its neighboring store in Riverbank. The cause of the roof collapse is not known at this time. SFGATE reached out to Cost Less Food Company but did not hear back by the time of publication.

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Amidst a wave of anticipation and concern, the Oakdale City Council cast a pivotal vote that could shape the future of the community, approving the construction of the Fairfield Inn by Marriott Hotel within the bustling East F Street Corridor Specific Plan. The decision, which was not made lightly, also opens the door for the proposed Oakdale Marketplace, set to further invigorate Oakdale’s commercial scene.

The council’s green light came after an intense public hearing held on Monday, Dec. 2, where voices from all corners of the community were heard.

This approval, however, was met with resistance leading to an appeal brought forth by concerned citizens, culminating in a City Council vote of 3-1 in favor, with one abstention. Mayor Cherilyn Bairos, Mayor Pro Tem Christopher Smith and council member Kayleigh Gilbert voted in favor, councilman Bob Amaral cast the lone no vote and council member Fred Smith abstained.

The Planning Commission had already unanimously endorsed the project, setting the stage for a heated council session.

“Upon conducting this public hearing, the Planning Commission approved the project,” explained Mark Niskanen, the meticulous Contract Planner, who detailed the project’s extensive amenities – from a welcoming dog run to a state-of-the-art fitness center – and significant upgrades to local infrastructure.

Byron Chapman, the developer’s representative, stood firm against a backdrop of skepticism. He highlighted the strategic selection of the Marriott brand, known for its robust frequent traveler program – a key to the hotel’s anticipated success.

“Marriott has 205 million Bonvoy members who prefer to stay within their network, even if it means traveling extra miles,” Chapman stated confidently, aiming to quell doubts about the hotel’s viability.

Yet, not all were swayed. Erica Cox, a local resident whose life is deeply intertwined with the neighborhood’s tranquility, voiced her strong opposition. Concerned about the looming structure that would stand so close to her family home at the eastern edge of the city, she shared, “You still can’t convince me that this is a good idea to live next to a four-story hotel.” Her words echoed the fears of many about the intrusion on their privacy and the disruption to their peace.

In the heart of the discussion was Mayor Cherilyn Bairos, who wrestled with the decision, acutely aware of its magnitude.

“This is a very tough decision. I’ve lost a lot of sleep on this one,” the Mayor confessed, her voice reflecting the weight of her duty to balance progress with the preservation of Oakdale’s cherished small-town charm.

The project not only includes the hotel but also paves the way for the much-anticipated Oakdale Marketplace. The area, zoned for commercial growth, had potential for various developments, even a gas station, but now promises something more aligned with community enrichment.

As the Fairfield Inn and Oakdale Marketplace take shape, City Council hopes to usher in a new era of economic vitality for Oakdale, enhancing local amenities and services.