At least two people were killed and 15 injured when a circus tent collapsed during a performance at the Lancaster Fairgrounds in Lancaster, New Hampshire, on Monday night as strong storms swept through the area.
Initial reports said as many as 250 people were trapped when the collapse occurred.
Breaking: NH officials say 2 dead, 15 injured in tent collapse during storm in Lancaster, NH #NHwx— Michael Page (@MichaelPageWx) August 4, 2015
Lancaster town official: At least 15 transported by ambulance to area hospitals after tent collapse. Others drove themselves. @UnionLeader— Jason Schreiber (@Schreibernews) August 4, 2015
The circus performance was one of two scheduled shows for Monday at the fairgrounds by the Walker Brothers Circus company. The area was under a severe thunderstorm watch at the time of the collapse. A severe thunderstorm warning was also issued for Lancaster around the time of the incident.
.@afreedma Don't know official incident time, but a severe thunderstorm warning was in effect for #Lancaster from 523 PM until 615 PM.— NWS Gray (@NWSGray) August 4, 2015
@FOX25Weather microburst? Or tornado?— Twoodack73 Sandys (@tomsacky73) August 4, 2015
NWS says straight line winds of 60 + mph likely at time of Lancaster tent collapse. No signs of rotation in storm. @UnionLeader— Jason Schreiber (@Schreibernews) August 4, 2015
#lancasternh circus tent down..praying for the people inside pic.twitter.com/YXFZSVL5mc— Sebastian Fuentes (@sebaspapi01) August 3, 2015
Emergency and government officials are monitoring the situation.
#redcross following events across NH and VT tonite as storms move through. Fire in Townshend VT and tent collapse in Lancaster, NH.— Red Cross NH (@NHRedCross) August 3, 2015
State officials working to assist w/ the situation in Lancaster and will continue to monitor the situation closely— Gov. Maggie Hassan (@GovernorHassan) August 3, 2015