A tragic incident at the Portuguese American Citizens Club in Portsmouth (35 Power Street) has left the community in shock. During a graduation party Saturday evening, a partial building collapse resulted in the death of a 15-year-old girl and serious injuries to three others.
Assistant Fire Chief Howie Tighe told WPRI they were called to Power Street just after 5:30 p.m. for reports of a partial building collapse and people trapped underneath the front stairwell.
The three people who were injured were two 17-year-old girls and a 49-year-old woman, according to Tighe. All three were taken to Rhode Island Hospital.
About 75 people were in the building when the front stairwell gave way, trapping several people underneath. Police Chief Brian Peters is overseeing the response, while Governor Dan McKee says he’s keeping a close eye on the situation.
While the cause is still under investigation, authorities have ruled out a car crash as a factor. A building inspector is on site to check the structure’s safety.
Congressman Gabe Amo has shared his sympathies, saying his thoughts are with the family of the young victim and those injured in this tragic accident.
On Monday (June 9), Portsmouth Police provided the following update.
Fatal Structure Collapse – News Release
Portsmouth, RI — (June 9th, 2025) — At approximately 5:34 PM on June 7, 2025, officers from the Portsmouth Police Department responded to 35 Power Street for a report of a structural collapse with multiple injuries. Upon arrival, officers joined personnel from the Portsmouth Fire Department already on scene. The incident involved a concrete landing located at the top of an exterior stairway on the north side of the building, which led to the second-floor entrance of the Portuguese American Club. The landing detached from the building and collapsed downward, ultimately settling perpendicular to the ground and trapping two juveniles beneath it, a 15-year-old female and a 17-year-old female, both from Portsmouth.
Tragically, the 15-year-old juvenile lost her life as a result of the collapse. The 17-year-old remains in critical condition at the hospital.
In addition to this tragic loss, three individuals that had been standing on the landing sustained injuries. A 19-year-old female resident of Little Compton was treated and released from the hospital, a 49-year-old female resident of Merrillville, Indiana remains hospitalized with serious injuries, and a 46-year-old male resident of Portsmouth suffered a minor injury and was not hospitalized.
Out of respect for the privacy of the families, the name of the deceased juvenile will not be released at this time. Similarly, the names of those injured are being withheld during their ongoing recovery.
The Portsmouth Police Detective Division is currently investigating the incident to determine whether any criminal factors were involved. We have asked the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office to assist us with this investigation. The criminal investigation by the Detective Division is separate from the review being conducted by the building official and the town planner.
We extend our sincere condolences to all those affected by this heartbreaking event and encourage anyone affected by this tragedy to seek support. Resources are available through Newport Mental Health and local service providers.