Lithuanian Club Closed After Ceiling Collapses-July 12, 1977

On the evening of July 11, 1977, the Lithuanian Club on St. George Avenue in Norwood was the site of a dramatic structural failure when the ceiling of its second-floor ballroom crashed to the floor, causing the building’s walls to buckle.

The collapse, which occurred around 6:00 p.m., sent thousands of pounds of old plaster, wood, and beams plummeting nearly 20 feet. Miraculously, three men who had been in the ballroom escaped serious injury, having left the space only minutes before the main trestle supporting the ceiling gave way. Richard Sawkiewicz, a club member, described the sound of the collapse as “just like thunder,” a noise that echoed through the structure as the debris settled.

By the morning of July 12, 1977, Norwood Building Inspector John E. Grover, Fire Chief Leo J. Coughlin, and Police Chief James F. Curran had met at the site to formally assess the damage. Following their inspection, they determined that the club must remain closed and cordoned off until the massive amount of rubble could be safely removed and the 75-year-old building structurally secured. The “Butterfly Ballroom,” a long-time venue for dances and local social functions, was left in a precarious state, with its wood-paneled walls visibly buckling under the pressure of the fallen ceiling. While a neighboring three-decker residence sat within 40 feet of the club, officials confirmed that it was in no immediate danger, and no evacuations were required for the surrounding residents.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger