The City of Murfreesboro’s Fire & Rescue, Police, Engineering, and Codes departments all worked together Thursday morning to avert a potential sign collapse at the Sam’s Club on John Rice Boulevard.
Murfreesboro Police Department first arrived on the scene to discover a broken beam on a 110’ Sam’s Club sign, causing the sign to lean. MPD called for assistance from the Fire & Rescue department.
Once on scene, MFRD’s Ladder 9 evaluated the situation and contacted City Engineer Sam Huddleston and the Codes department. All were in agreement of the potential disasters that could occur if the sign were to fall.
MPD blocked access and eventually coned off the areas of John Rice Boulevard at Old Fort Parkway and the entrance to Sam’s Club. A collapse zone was also set up in a portion of the parking lot and the area around the fuel pumps.
According to Captain/Shift Inspector Mark McCluskey, Boom Sign Company crews were bringing in a crane to assist with repair or replacement of the sign. “These areas will most likely remain closed for most of the day,” said McCluskey.
Sam’s Club is still open for business; however, shoppers will not be able to use the main entrance to the parking lot.