Norwich – Ten people were displaced from their apartment building at 92 Washington St. this morning when the flat roof collapsed under the weight of heavy snow and caused a rear wall to bulge.

No one was injured.

City fire crews evacuated the building and the local chapter of the American Red Cross is assisting the seven adults and three children into rooms at the Comfort Suites hotel in Norwich.

Joseph East, assistant building official for the city, said residents heard a loud “thump” when the rafters supporting the roof collapsed into the upper story apartment unit. East said the rafter collapse actually helped ease pressure of the buckling walls.

Residents were allowed to remove some belongings, but the building has been condemned until the owner, the Rita H. Carter Revocable Trust, removes the damaged roof and repairs the structure. East said if repairs are not made soon, there is a risk of water damage as the snow melts and seeps into the building.

East inspected other buildings in the apartment complex, but said although they too have flat roofs, their structures appeared sound. He said the damaged building was closer to the road and taller and may have had more snow on the roof.