Prince George's County apartment wall partially collapses, officials say

SUITLAND, Md. - A brick wall on a three-story apartment building in Prince George's County partially collapsed on Friday, according to officials.

The Prince George's County Fire Department said they responded to the Andrews Ridge Apartments in the 5600 block of Regency Park Court in Suitland at around 3 p.m. Seventeen apartment buildings were evacuated as a precaution, according to fire officials.

Officials said no injuries were reported, but nearly 300 residents were displaced Friday night. A photo sent to FOX 5 by a viewer shows parts of the wall completely gone, exposing the units inside the apartment.

"I went into my bedroom and all you hear is a 'Whoosh!'" said Tamica Prue. "We looked out the window and the building literally collapsed ... It sounded like a bomb, but what you see is the inside of people's houses. Bricks are on the ground. People's cars are messed up. It's a mess."

According to fire officials, a medic sitting in an ambulance at the scene was injured after a piece of roofing material struck the vehicle. The vehicle sustained extensive damage. Officials said the medic suffered minor injuries and declined to go to the hospital. Several other vehicles were also damaged by flying debris.

Buses transported residents to the American Red Cross shelter at Suitland High School.

Powerful winds caused by a nor'easter ripped through the region, toppling trees and power lines, causing school closings and knocking out power to thousands.