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Apollo Theatre: Ceiling collapse probe under way Apollo Theatre: Ceiling collapse injures 76 people
(about 1 hour later)
Investigators are trying to establish what caused part of a ceiling to collapse at a London theatre injuring 76 people, seven of them seriously. Investigators are trying establish why part of a ceiling collapsed at a central London theatre injuring 76 people, seven of them seriously.
A large section of ornate plasterwork at the Apollo fell on to the audience during a production of The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time.A large section of ornate plasterwork at the Apollo fell on to the audience during a production of The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time.
Some reports suggested water began dripping through cracks in the ceiling before it came down. Some reports suggested water dripped through cracks in the West End venue's ceiling before it came down.
The theatre's owner described the incident as "shocking and upsetting".The theatre's owner described the incident as "shocking and upsetting".
'It was horrific''It was horrific'
Westminster City Council is expected to report later on a structural assessment of the Shaftesbury Avenue venue.
One line of inquiry will be the effect of adverse weather on the 100-year-old, Grade II-listed building.
There was a thunderstorm and a heavy rain burst in London on Thursday evening with a high number of lightning strikes across the capital.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Graham Ellis of the London Fire Brigade said the plasterwork had fallen on to the upper circle, the dress circle and the stalls.Deputy Assistant Commissioner Graham Ellis of the London Fire Brigade said the plasterwork had fallen on to the upper circle, the dress circle and the stalls.
He said: "The injuries to the casualties that our colleagues have spoken about are consistent with that. He said: "The injuries to the casualties that our colleagues have spoken about are consistent with that."
"We've manage to stabilise the situation inside the theatre. We're working closely with colleagues at Westminster City Council, their building surveyors."
The collapse happened at 20:15 GMT on Thursday when theatre was almost full, with 720 people watching the performance.The collapse happened at 20:15 GMT on Thursday when theatre was almost full, with 720 people watching the performance.
Of the 76 injured, 58 were taken to four London hospitals. Of the 76 injured, 58 were taken to four London hospitals. There were no life-threatening injuries.
There were no life-threatening injuries. Chris Edwards' son and daughter-in-law were injured and remain in hospital.
Chris Edwards' son and daughter-in-law were injured and remained in hospital. Mr Edwards said: "I first heard cracking, then looked up to see a big part of the roof coming down. It was horrific.
Mr Edwards said: "I was in seat F3 with my family all around me when part of the roof fell in right on top of us.
"I first heard cracking, then looked up to see a big part of the roof coming down. It was horrific.
"Larger pieces hit my younger son and he's still in hospital with a broken collar bone and suspected damage to his spine."Larger pieces hit my younger son and he's still in hospital with a broken collar bone and suspected damage to his spine.
"I tried to cover my daughter-in-law, who is pregnant, to protect her but some of the debris fell on her back. Thankfully she and the baby are safe."I tried to cover my daughter-in-law, who is pregnant, to protect her but some of the debris fell on her back. Thankfully she and the baby are safe.
"I have cuts and bruises myself, but we believe we have been very lucky. But I am really angry about this too. It was so lucky that someone wasn't killed.""I have cuts and bruises myself, but we believe we have been very lucky. But I am really angry about this too. It was so lucky that someone wasn't killed."
Dermot Cavanagh was sitting in the balcony.Dermot Cavanagh was sitting in the balcony.
"The whole row stood up and there were suppressed murmurs and shrieks and shortly after that there was this large ornate ceiling rose with a chandelier in the middle just came down and a huge brownish grey cloud of dust came up from the stalls," he said."The whole row stood up and there were suppressed murmurs and shrieks and shortly after that there was this large ornate ceiling rose with a chandelier in the middle just came down and a huge brownish grey cloud of dust came up from the stalls," he said.
'Swift and effective''Swift and effective'
The emergency response included 25 ambulance crews, an air ambulance rapid response team, eight fire engines and more than 50 firefighters. Police were also in attendance.The emergency response included 25 ambulance crews, an air ambulance rapid response team, eight fire engines and more than 50 firefighters. Police were also in attendance.
Three London buses were commandeered to take patients to hospital.Three London buses were commandeered to take patients to hospital.
Witnesses said the emergency services were at the scene within minutes.Witnesses said the emergency services were at the scene within minutes.
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust said 34 adults and five children were treated at the accident and emergency department at St Thomas' Hospital.Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust said 34 adults and five children were treated at the accident and emergency department at St Thomas' Hospital.
The majority had cuts and bruises but a small number had fractures. The three most serious cases had injuries to the neck and back, or head.The majority had cuts and bruises but a small number had fractures. The three most serious cases had injuries to the neck and back, or head.
A spokesman for Nimax Theatres, which owns the Apollo, said an investigation was under way and "thoughts are with the audience and staff".A spokesman for Nimax Theatres, which owns the Apollo, said an investigation was under way and "thoughts are with the audience and staff".
'Extremely rare'
Mark Haddon, author of the book on which the play is based, tweeted: "It's been horrifying sitting here watching what has been happening at the Apollo this evening. I'm hugely relieved that no-one has died."Mark Haddon, author of the book on which the play is based, tweeted: "It's been horrifying sitting here watching what has been happening at the Apollo this evening. I'm hugely relieved that no-one has died."
Mhora Samuel from The Theatres Trust said: "Thankfully occurrences of theatre ceiling and plasterwork collapse are extremely rare.
"The public should be reassured that theatre owners carry out regular plasterwork inspections and maintenance regimes to ensure the safety of their buildings."
The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time has been running in London since August 2012.The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time has been running in London since August 2012.
The show started at the National Theatre, before transferring to the Apollo in March this year.The show started at the National Theatre, before transferring to the Apollo in March this year.
The Grade II-listed Apollo was built in 1901 and has 775 seats over four levels. The Apollo was built in 1901 and has 775 seats over four levels.
Nimax Theatres also runs the Garrick, Duchess and Vaudeville theatres.Nimax Theatres also runs the Garrick, Duchess and Vaudeville theatres.
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