BIDDEFORD — Kohl’s department store reopened early Friday afternoon after it was deemed safe by a structural engineer, according to store officials.

Kohl’s, located on Route 111, was closed around 1 p.m. Thursday because of what Biddeford Fire Department Capt. John Pothier called “a discernible sag” in the roof.

Concerned employees notified emergency personnel, and after public safety and code enforcement officials inspected the building, all parties agreed to close the door, said Pothier.

 Code Enforcement Officer Roby Fecteau released a statement Friday morning that his office had requested a report from structural engineer regarding the snow load on Kohl’s roof.

Kohl’s spokeswoman Sydney Hofer said Friday in an email the store was closed Thursday as a precautionary measure to assess the roof due to excessive snow. She said it reopened Friday afternoon at 12:30 p.m. after it was deemed safe by a structural engineer.

Biddeford Deputy Police Chief JoAnne Fisk confirmed in an email that engineers had determined the structure appeared to be in safe, usable condition and could be occupied.

“For the future, Kohl’s corporate offices will provide the City of  Biddeford’s Office of Code Enforcement with a management plan for snow loads that may occur on the roof of the building,” said Fisk.

The closure came two days after  Fecteau released a statement advising residents to remove access amounts of snow from roofs, given the large amount of snow the area has received lately.

Failure to remove snow could result in structural failures, said Fecteau.

—Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or [email protected].