Apollo Theatre: Ceiling collapses during show in London

London. December 20. KAZINFORM - Seventy-six people have been injured, seven seriously, after part of a ceiling in London's Apollo Theatre collapsed during a show, BBC reports citing the local police.
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The venue in Shaftesbury Avenue was packed for a performance of The Curious Incident Of The Dog in the Night-Time.
Eyewitnesses heard "a crackling" noise before the collapse at about 20:15 GMT. Theatre-goers left covered in debris.
The Apollo's owner described it as a "shocking and upsetting" incident and said an investigation was under way.
A total of 58 people were taken to hospital but there were no life-threatening injuries.
Ch Supt Paul Rickett, who is in charge of policing in London's City of Westminster, said: "All of the emergency services responded to this incident using tried and tested systems that we have for working together. That response has been swift and effective.
The London Ambulance Service said 25 ambulance crews and an air ambulance rapid response team attended the scene.
Incident commander Maria Smith, who was one of the first on scene, said: "When I arrived it was dark and extremely dusty and people were lying on the floor of the theatre.
"We very quickly set up a casualty clearing area in the foyer of the theatre and the walking wounded were assessed and treated there for injuries such as cuts and grazes, breathing problems and head injuries.
London Fire Brigade said its "search is now complete" and the theatre has been sealed off.
Eight fire engines and more than 50 firefighters attended the incident in London's busy West End theatre district, along with hundreds of police officers.
The Apollo's ornate plasterwork ceiling collapsed and brought down part of the lighting rig, it said.
"Specialist urban search and rescue crews were also called to the scene to make sure no-one was trapped."
He added: "In my time as a fire officer I've never seen an incident like this."
Firefighters said the theatre had been almost full and 720 people were watching the performance.
The Met Police said more than 40 walking wounded were treated at the nearby Gielgud Theatre, while three London buses were used to transport others to hospitals.
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust said 34 adults and five children were being treated at the accident and emergency department at St Thomas' Hospital.
The majority had cuts and bruises, and a small number had fractures. The three most serious cases had injuries to the neck and back, or head.
The trust said at this stage there were no life-threatening injuries.
Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: "I've been updated regularly on the Apollo incident. I'm grateful for the fast work of the emergency services in helping the injured."

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 Grade II-listed Apollo was built in 1901 and has 775 seats over four levels. Since 2005 it has been owned and operated by Nimax Theatres, which also runs the Garrick, Duchess and Vaudeville theatres.

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