MISSOULA, Mont. — Part of the roof at a Montana State University fitness center in Bozeman collapsed early Thursday morning.
The collapse occurred at the Marga Hosaeus Fitness Center used by students.
The Bozeman Fire Department says firefighters were called around 2:20 a.m. and found a partial roof collapse on the backside of an unoccupied building.
There was no fire, but broken heating pipes were releasing steam.
"It was an unexpected situation," said MSU spokesman Michael Becker. "We are immensely grateful that, if it was going to happen, it happened when it did, when the building was barely occupied."
One maintenance worker told NBC Montana he was on the roof a few days ago, and the snow was up to his waist.
Becker added that it's too early to say what the cause is.
"We have to wait for the assessments from the engineers to come back to find out what exactly what the status is for the rest of the building before we can even begin looking at reopening," Becker added.
The school notified students via email and text.
"Actually, it's a lot worse that I thought it was going be," said sophomore James Olechowski. "I was like, 'Well, might as well check it out, since I'm not getting any gym in today.'"
"I was very upset," said student Sabine Byrne. "This is where we usually come and now -- can't work out here anymore."
Students are being asked to avoid the area until further notice from MSU.
The school is making arrangements for those who had classes at the fitness center.
Brick Breeden Field House is only accessible through the south entrance at this time.
There were no injuries and the fitness center has been closed. The cause of the collapse is under investigation.
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