Because it was not technically a "structure," the stage and scaffolding that collapsed and killed 5 people at the Indiana State Fair on Saturday was not subject to any inspection or regulation whatsoever. A spokesman for the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, which is charged with inspecting buildings, elevators, and rides, tells the Indianapolis Star, "There is no permitting process" for erecting such a stage. "There is no regulation on it. We do not regulate putting up of scaffolding in a business or an entertainment setting or anything of that type."
Despite Indiana Code stipulating that "a structure—temporary or permanent" must withstand winds up to 90 mph, a rep from the IDHS tells the paper, "You're talking about scaffolding and equipment, not a structure." The winds that knocked the scaffolding over were between 60 and 70 mph. A fellow at the American Institute of Architects called the stage "unbelievably flimsy" based on photos he saw before its collapse.
Meanwhile, friends and family of 29-year-old Bronx native Christina Santiago, continue to mourn her death in the accident. "I know a lot of people who are waiting for their dreams to come true, and Christina was living her dreams," a friend tells NY1. Santiago had been managing the Howard Brown Health Center in Chicago, the city's "leading health care center for gays and lesbians." Santiago was a committed activist for LGBT and Latino rights, and had planned to wed her longtime partner, who was severely injured in the incident, next fall in a civil union.
