At least 14 people were hurt, including two critically, when a deck collapsed at a beach house in Emerald Isle, North Carolina.

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A family was trying to take a photo on the deck when the wood gave way

The house, on the North Carolina coast, was built in 1986

CNN  — 

The deck of a North Carolina vacation home collapsed Saturday evening, sending a family plunging to the ground more than 10 feet below, authorities said.

The family was trying to take a photo at the rental home in Emerald Isle, on the Carolina coast, when the raised deck gave way, Emerald Isle Fire Chief Bill Walker said.

At least 14 people were injured, including two critically, he said.

The cause of the collapse was not immediately clear. The deck, which was elevated on stilts, left a heap of broken wood beams on the ground.

About one-third of the deck fell, CNN affiliate WNCT said. Witnesses told the affiliate that the family was visiting from Virginia.

According to Zillow.com, the six-bedroom house, valued at $1.1 million, was built in 1986.