We are working closely with grief counselors and support staff to ensure that students and staff have the support they need during this difficult time.”

Thomas Kenworthy, superintendent of schools

PORTSMOUTH — A makeshift memorial featuring bouquets of flowers and prayer candles was arranged on the Portuguese American-Citizens Club’s (PPACC) flagpole base the day after a 15-year-old girl was fatally injured in a partial building collapse there Saturday night.

The Portsmouth High School student was killed, and three others seriously injured, when a platform atop a set of stairs leading to the second floor of the club collapsed during a graduation party early Saturday evening. The three injured people, who were transported to Rhode Island Hospital, were two 17-year-old girls (also PHS students) and a 49-year-old woman. 

The name of the deceased girl had not been released as of Monday afternoon. She is known by many throughout the community, however, and was memorialized on the club’s property at 35 Power St. by the following day.

Meanwhile, the entire stairway and landing to the second floor of the club has been removed. 

Ralph Craft, a member of the PPACC board, arrived on the site shortly before 1 p.m. on Monday, but declined to comment. 

“The only comment I can give you is, we’re devastated,” said Craft, adding the club’s Facebook post serves as its official response for now. 

“We’re hurting,” he said.

PPACC posted the following statement on Facebook on Sunday:

“It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that that we acknowledge this unthinkable tragedy that has befallen our community. The Portsmouth Portuguese American Citizens Club has always taken pride in providing a venue at which our community can congregate and celebrate. Words, neither written or spoken, can express the sorrow with which we are all stricken. Our thoughts and prayers are with all involved and affected. This tragedy has shaken us all to our core. We would like to express a debt of gratitude to our first responders and law enforcement in the town of Portsmouth and neighboring communities.”

According to online records, the PPACC was incorporated in 1927, and the two-story Power Street building was constructed in 1946. 

On Monday, Building Official Matthew Kent said he could not comment at this time.

“This is an active investigation, at this time all questions are directed to the Police Department,” Kent said in an e-mailed response to The Portsmouth Times. (The Times has reached out to Police Chief Brian Peters for any updates.)

Counseling for students

The PHS library was opened from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday for grief counseling for all students, including recently graduated seniors, Superintendent of Schools Thomas Kenworthy said.

“This tragedy deeply impacts our entire district community. We are working closely with grief counselors and support staff to ensure that students and staff have the support they need during this difficult time,” Kenworthy stated in an e-mailed message to the district community. 

Starting Monday, counselors would be available at all Portsmouth schools in the coming days. “We encourage anyone who needs support to reach out to any member of our district mental health staff or a school administrator,” Kenworthy said.