LANCASTER, N.H. — It’s unclear why after a widespread warning of impending severe weather a circus put on its planned show in a tent that ended up collapsing in a storm, killing a spectator and his 8-year-old daughter, the state fire marshal said Tuesday.
More than 30 other people were taken to hospitals after the collapse Monday night at the Lancaster Fairgrounds, 90 miles north of Concord, N.H.
Fire Marshal Bill Degnan said it’s the responsibility of the circus operator to monitor the weather. The show began seven minutes after the National Weather Service issued a severe-thunderstorm warning. The storm blew through about 15 minutes after that, with about 100 people inside the tent.
The victims of the collapse were identified as 41-year-old Robert Young and his daughter Annabelle of Concord, Vt.