Street sweeper breaks through NH mall parking garage floor

SALEM, N.H.—A mall parking garage in Salem was shut down when part of a street sweeper broke through the top floor.

Safety officials said the street sweeper broke through the structure at the Mall at Rockingham Park in two places, and the driver was eventually unable to move his vehicle. It happened at about 7 a.m., so the mall hadn't opened yet.

Officials said the sweeper broke through the floor and a panel, leaving debris below.

Safety concerns forced Salem fire officials to close down the entire parking garage on both sides of the mall. While the mall opened as normal, shoppers could only use outside parking lots.

The parking garage was constructed in 1991, and the mall manager said a street sweeper has been on the top deck almost every day over the spring.

Officials said an engineer's report will determine how long the garage will remain closed.

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