HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Tkyana Bryant said she and her family are grateful to be alive after the roof of their home collapsed in Hallandale Beach Tuesday morning.
“We sleep in the living room; I could’ve lost my kids,” Bryant said.
Bryant told Local 10′s Joseph Ojo that she returned home from work Tuesday morning and immediately noticed something was wrong.
“I came home from work after 12 hours and heard the beam cracking, which is what made me get my kids out of the house,” she said tearfully. “If I hadn’t acted, we would’ve still been inside.”
Noon report:
Before the roof caved in, Bryant rushed to get her six children out of the apartment.
“My last son was the one I pulled out as it was coming down,” she said.
The incident occurred at her home near Northeast 10th Avenue and Second Street in Hallandale Beach. A Local 10 News crew captured first responders at the scene, damage to the home’s interior and a significant hole in the roof.
Bryant added, “Everything is in there — clothes, shoes, my fridge (is) full of groceries.”
Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue said that the roof collapse was likely due to heavy rain.
Authorities confirmed that no one was injured, but Bryant said she and her family now need to find new housing.
Bryant has pointed fingers at their landlord, citing previous complaints about flooding, mold, termites and other issues.
“We had no AC for like three months; it was just hot. We got critters everywhere because it’s hot in the house, and it rains so much that it caused mold,” Bryant said.
To complicate matters, Bryant said she recently paid $1,500 in rent, making it difficult for her to find a new place for her six children, including a 4-year-old.
She has posted a GoFundMe account for anyone who would like to contribute to help fix her roof. Click here for more information.