Summary:
• The floor of a Tamworth, New Hampshire wedding venue collapsed Saturday evening, sending at least 70 guests plummeting into the basement.
• Officials confirm 144 people were inside the “Sap House” at The Preserve at Chocorua when the structure suddenly gave way.
• Frantic rescue efforts ensued as victims were trapped beneath heavy structural beams and farming equipment.
• Six adults were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, while dozens more were treated by emergency crews directly at the scene.
What was supposed to be a joyous milestone in picturesque New Hampshire quickly devolved into a frantic rescue mission this weekend. We are tracking a terrifying structural failure in the town of Tamworth, where the floor of a crowded wedding venue gave way, swallowing dozens of guests in an instant. The details coming out of this scene are jarring, and the accounts from first responders paint a vivid picture of sudden chaos—and immediate heroism.
The terrifying incident unfolded late Saturday at The Preserve at Chocorua, specifically inside a building known to guests as the “Sap House.” According to the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office, 144 people had gathered to celebrate when the floor beneath them catastrophically failed. In a matter of seconds, at least 70 people were sent tumbling into the basement level below.
When emergency crews arrived on the scene, they walked into a makeshift triage operation. First responders reported finding several victims trapped beneath heavy structural beams and, alarmingly, large pieces of farming equipment that had been stored in the lower level.
But long before the sirens arrived, the survivors themselves sprang into action. Venue staff and uninjured wedding guests refused to just wait for help. They immediately began providing critical first aid and grabbed ladders, reaching down into the debris to hoist their friends and family members to safety.
Because of the sheer volume of those injured, multiple mutual aid partners from neighboring communities were called in to assist. Firefighters took over the rescue operations and conducted mass on-scene medical evaluations. Ultimately, six adults were rushed by ambulance to local hospitals to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Four of those individuals have since been released and are recovering. Dozens of other guests were bandaged and treated right there on the venue grounds.
Tonight, the site is secured, but the hard questions are just beginning. Investigators with the State Fire Marshal’s Office are actively working to determine exactly what caused the floor to buckle under the weight of the celebration. While the physical injuries thankfully appear to be manageable, the emotional toll of a wedding day shattered by such a terrifying near-tragedy will take much longer to heal. We will continue to press local officials for answers on the building’s structural history and keep you updated as this investigation develops.