Apollo theatre collapse injures more than 80 people in London's West End | UK news | The Guardian Apollo theatre collapse injures more than 80 people in London's West End Seven people seriously hurt after part of Shaftesbury Avenue theatre ceiling collapses on to balcony during performance Thursday 19 December 2013 01.25 EST First published on Thursday 19 December 2013 01.25 EST Close This article is 3 years old More than 80 people were injured on Thursday night when part of a theatre in London's West End collapsed on to the audience during a performance. Fire crews rescued people from the Apollo theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue, which was showing The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. There were more than 700 people in the audience. London ambulance service said there were 88 casualties, seven of whom were seriously injured, but none are thought to have life-threatening injuries. The Metropolitan police said they were not aware of any fatalities. Some people were initially trapped inside the theatre, but all were rescued from the building soon after the collapse.

The wounded were taken into the foyer of the nearby Queen's theatre, which was turned into a makeshift treatment centre. Some were taken from there to hospital on board a red London bus, with a police escort. Firefighters inspect the roof of the Apollo theatre following the collapse. Photograph: Sang Tan/AP The collapse of part of the ceiling, which then brought down sections of a balcony, occurred at about 8pm. Part of the balcony started creaking before the collapse, and some audience members assumed that the noise was part of the show. People were escorted out of the building covered in dust and debris, while others left crying, coughing and helping each other away. Photographs from inside the theatre showed heavy beams and wood strewn across seats, which were coated in debris and dust. There were reports that after a storm earlier, water had begun dripping through cracks in the ceiling before it fell in, but this was not confirmed by authorities. A Westminster council surveyor was inspecting the building overnight to assess whether it was safe enough for a full inspection. The surveyor was expected to deliver a preliminary report on Friday morning. London fire brigade's Nick Harding said: "We believe around 720 people were in the theatre at the time.

A section of the theatre's ceiling collapsed on to the audience who were watching the show. The ceiling took parts of the balconies down with it. "Specialist urban search and rescue crews were also called to the scene to make sure no one was trapped. Fortunately all those who were trapped have been rescued and treated for injuries or taken to hospital. "A number of people were injured and ambulance crews are working hard to look after them. The latest information is that there were around 80 walking wounded, many of whom had head injuries. Around five have been taken to hospital with more serious injuries. Khalil Anjarwalla said he, his heavily pregnant wife and her parents managed to escape from the theatre safely after "kilos of concrete plummeted from the ceiling". "I was in the upper circle with my family when, about 45 minutes in, people started shouting and screaming. We thought it was part of the play, but the ceiling was crumbling. Injured people receive treatment on a London bus. Photograph: Neil Hall/Reuters "Within an instant the whole roof seemed to come down. We saw a lot of people completely covered in dust. I could hardly breathe.

We had to get out, calmly." Anjarwalla, a businessman from Kenya who was visiting his in-laws with his English wife, Aliya, said: "The actors just seemed to run from the stage. They had obviously seen what had happened. Thankfully, we are all OK. My wife is seven months pregnant but she is OK." Andrew Howard-Smith, 68, said: "I saw the edge of the balcony come down. We were on the balcony below. In the production you had to hold on to the rail and lean over to see what was going on, and we were doing the same. mark haddon (@mark_haddon) 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... December 19, 2013 "Everybody must have got hold of the brass rail and just pushed it over, and then the edge came off. That was the only bit that came off, just the edge. It wasn't the whole of the balcony, just the front 2ft." Libby Grundy, 65, said: "There was a bang, and then a huge cloud of dust.

At first I thought it was a special effect. I heard somebody on the stage say, 'Oh, bloody hell', because they must have seen it. "And then people realised it must be some sort of emergency and people started getting up. People didn't panic. People were quite shaky when they got out. There wasn't any screaming. People were scared, but they weren't screaming." As news of the collapse filtered out, the author of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Mark Haddon, 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 and I hope that those who were seriously injured are okay. I'm sorry, too, that so many people went through such a terrifying experience." Helen Whitten, from Hampshire, who was at the theatre in a family group of eight and was sitting in row B, said: "We heard this real creaking in the roof for about five or 10 minutes before it happened. People were looking up and wondering what was happening. "One or two of us caught each other's eyes. You thought 'it does not feel right'.

Someone in Row A decided 'this is the time to get out'. Once they started, they all got out. I think they trusted their instinct and thought 'this is not right, let's go' and at that moment it happened." Another member of the group, Julia Clay from Oundle in Cambridgeshire, said: "It all happened right next to me. I was in seat 9 of Row A. The people who left were at about seat 14. They pushed past me very abruptly. I thought they didn't like the show for some reason and they were leaving because of that. Then behind me everyone got up. Then there was pandemonium. "It was big, heavy chunks of plaster and lots of black dust. It's still in my throat. I still feel quite dazed." A spokesman for the Metropolitan police said: "There is no suggestion at this stage that this was as a result of a criminal act, however, at this stage we of course are keeping an open mind. The 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." A spokesman for London mayor Boris Johnson said: "He has spoken to the Met police commissioner and is liaising with the relevant agencies. His thoughts and prayers are with those involved in what is clearly a very serious incident." The Apollo theatre is a Grade II listed building. Completed in February 1901, the theatre seats 755, and the balcony on the third tier is considered the steepest in London. It is not yet known whether it was that one which collapsed. A spokesman for Nimax Theatres, which owns the Apollo, described the ceiling collapse as a "shocking and upsetting incident" adding that their "thoughts are with the audience and staff" caught up in the incident and that an investigation into the cause was under way. Council leader Philippa Roe said: "We are obviously shocked to hear the news and our immediate concerns are with the people that have been injured.

Our officers are on site and they will help emergency services wherever they can." Nimax Theatres, which runs the Apollo, said last year it had budget of just £2.45m to restore its five West End playhouses Published: 21 Dec 2013 London mayor tries to reassure public after theatre ceiling falls in, injuring more than 80 during performance Published: 20 Dec 2013 Witnesses say West End theatre was gripped by 'chaos and panic' as ceiling collapsed 45 minutes into play Published: 20 Dec 2013 Rachel Williams was inside the London theatre watching The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time when 'chaos erupted' Published: 19 Dec 2013 76 hurt in collapse of London theater ceiling FacebookEmail Twitter Google+ LinkedIn Pinterest 76 hurt in collapse of London theater ceiling London authorities are reporting that the balcony of a theater in the SoHo district has collapsed during a performance. Emergency crews have converged on the Apollo Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue.

Post to Facebook 76 hurt in collapse of London theater ceiling London authorities are reporting that the balcony of a theater in the SoHo district has collapsed during a performance. Emergency crews have converged on the Apollo Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue. Check out this story on USATODAY.com: CancelSend A link has been sent to your friend's email address. Posted! A link has been posted to your Facebook feed. 18 To find out more about Facebook commenting please read the Conversation Guidelines and FAQs 76 hurt in collapse of London theater ceiling Kim Hjelmgaard, Michael Winter and Donna Leinwand Leger, USA TODAY Published 3:53 p.m. ET Dec. 19, 2013 | Updated 9:13 p.m. ET Dec. 19, 2013 x Share London police say there are "a number" of casualties following the apparent collapse of a theater's roof. (Dec. 19) AP Part of domed ceiling at Apollo Theatre crashes down during packed performance. Firefighters inspect the roof of the Apollo Theater after its ceiling partially collapsed onto the audience during an evening performance in London on Dec. 19, 2013.

(Photo: Sang Tan, AP) Seven theater patrons were hospitalized with serious injuries Rescuers freed several audience members who were trapped Audience reported hearing "creaking" before collapse LONDON — Part of the ornate plaster ceiling of a West End theater collapsed during a packed performance Thursday night, injuring 76 people, authorities said. The collapse occurred at the Apollo Theatre about 8:10 p.m. local time (3:10 p.m. ET), 40 minutes into a nearly sold-out performance of The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time. No cast members were hurt. The London Ambulance Services said 58 people were taken to four hospitals, many in city buses. Seven patrons suffered serious injuries but none were thought to be life-threatening. The others were described as "walking wounded," with broken bones, cuts or contusions. Firefighters evacuated several injured audience members after about 100 square feet of the ceiling came crashing down, fire officials said. They were hit by plasterwork, wooden beams, a lighting rig and other debris. More than 700 people were inside at the time.

"In my time as a fire officer, I've never seen an incident like this," said Fire Brigade Officer Nick Harding, who manages the nearby Kingsland Station. (Photo: Dominic Lipinski ,AP) He said the plaster first hit the balcony, then tumbled onto the ground-floor stalls. Authorities examined the roof in their investigation of what caused the collapse. About an hour before, a thunderstorm drenched London, but it was not yet known whether rain or a possible lightning strike could have caused or contributed to the accident. An Asian restaurant next door is shrouded in scaffolding, but deputy assistant fire commissioner Graham Ellis told reporters he did not believe the building work was a contributing factor, The Telegraph reported . ON THE SCENE: Share photos/video of Apollo Theatre collapse The Apollo, on Shaftesbury Avenue in SoHo, the heart of the theater district, was built in 1901. It has 775 seats on four levels . The balcony of the third tier is considered the steepest in London, the Guardian notes . Hannah George, 29, an art teacher from East London, was in the fifth row of the balcony with her husband, when she heard a slowly escalating creaking sound.

She said a few people in the front row began getting up, and she initially thought they were heading to the bar. But she quickly realized something was wrong and fled. "The ceiling just crashed down," she said. "If we had been there another five minutes I don't know what would have happened to us." "It was supposed to be my birthday treat," George added. Martin Bostock was in the audience with his family, and said "complete chaos" erupted. "At first we thought it was part of the show," he told Sky News. "Then I got hit on the head." The cast interrupted the show during a seaside scene to point at the creaking ceiling. That led another theater-goer to believe it was part of the performance. "But then there was a lot of crashing noise and part of the roof caved in," he told the BBC. Last Slide Next Slide A Kenyan businessman who survived the September terrorist attack on a Nairobi mall was in the upper circle with his pregnant wife and her parents, The Telegraph reported.

"I was very close to the Westgate Mall, which was the scene of the recent terror attack, so my first thought was instantly to check whether we should be ducking for safety," Khalil Anjarwalla told the newspaper. The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time , staged by the National Theatre, is adapted from Mark Haddon's award-winning mystery novel about a 15-year-old "outsider" who calls himself "a mathematician with some behavioral difficulties." The London Times hailed the stage production as a "phenomenal combination of storytelling and spectacle." The New York Times said the 2½-hour play "may be the most entertaining family drama since the stage version of 'War Horse'," and Thursday night's holiday house included many families. The Apollo, the first in London built in the Edwardian period, is owned by Nica Burns of Nimax Theatres. Burns is one of Britain's leading play producers. Burns owns the Apollo with her business partner Max Weitzenhoffer along with five London playhouses: Palace, Lyric, Garrick, Duchess and Vaudeville.

Shaftesbury Avenue sits in the heart of London's playhouse district, and the Apollo is situated equidistant from the Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus underground stations. Contributing: William M. Welch 285 CONNECT TWEET LINKEDIN 18 COMMENTEMAILMORE Read or Share this story: NEVER MISS OUT The Short List Let us bring the headlines to you every night. Stay current and catch up on the biggest stories of the day. Apollo Theater Roof Collapse Injures At Least 30 | TIME.com Follow @TIMEWorld Updated at 7:02 p.m. EST Large sections of the plaster ceiling at London’s Apollo Theatre collapsed Thursday night during a packed evening performance. London Ambulance Services say that that 88 people have been wounded, including seven who were seriously hurt and taken to the hospital in ambulances. Theatergoers were watching a production of The Curious Incident of The Dog in the Night-Time when some reported hearing a loud crack as the domed roof crashed down, the BBC reports. A police statement said that many of the injured were “walking wounded” and that they were not yet aware of any fatalities.

The seven seriously injured people have been taken to local hospitals, and officers are using a London bus to transport anybody who needs further medical assistance. A theater spokesman said that the performance was sold out, and that around 700 people were inside the historic building, which opened in 1901. Martin Bowstock was in the crowd and told the BBC he initially thought the sudden blackout and cracking sound were intentional. “All the actors reacted, we saw all the actors looking up above us and pointing, looking horrified and then things started falling and smoke,” he said. “I thought it was part of the show until something hit me on the head very hard.” Another audience member, Khalil Anjarwalla, told the Telegraph that he also initially thought the commotion was part of the play. “And then within an instant the entire roof caved in, and you couldn’t see the sky, but at least the first layer of the roof was entirely gone and then dust filled the entire theatre,” he said. “Everyone was just screaming and people were rushing for the exit, clambering over chairs. It was completely horrific.” This story has been updated to report additional injuries and details about the incident.

[ BBC ] Leon Neal / AFP / Getty Images Police and emergency services personnel assist in operations behind a cordon following a ceiling collapse at a theatre in Central London on December 19, 2013. 1 of 6 As it happened: Apollo Theatre ceiling collapse - BBC News BBC News Contribute Key points More than 80 people have been injured - seven seriously - after part of the roof at London's Apollo Theatre collapsed. The incident happened during a performance of the play The Curious Incident Of The Dog in the Night-time. Eye-witnesses reported hearing a "cracking" noise before the collapse at about 20:15 GMT. London Ambulance say around 81 people are walking wounded and all those who were trapped had been freed. Apollo Theatre Collapse In London, Injuries Expected (PICTURES) | The Huffington Post Apollo Theatre Collapse In London, Injuries Expected (PICTURES) 19/12/2013 20:44 | Updated 23 January 2014 900 PA/Huffington Post UK UPDATE: London Fire Brigade described 81 people as "walking wounded" with seven taken to hospital with "more serious injuries" .

A rescue operation is under way after part of a balcony in the Apollo theatre in London's West End is thought to have collapsed during a performance, trapping people inside, according to eyewitnesses. Police confirmed they were called to the theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue shortly after 8.15pm. The scene on Thursday evening outside the theatre A spokesman said: "There is a report of a collapse in the building itself." It is believed some people may have been injured in the collapse, which occurred during a performance of The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-time. Eyewitnesses said they saw people being escorted out of the building, covered in dust and debris. Halfway through the first half of the performance, part of the balcony started creaking before a section of the theatre collapsed. Audience members assumed the noise was part of the show. Lobby filled with head injuries. pic.twitter.com/Q5Y9CDhuAG — Simon Usborne (@susborne) December 19, 2013 Rupert Street and Shaftesbury Avenue were filled with evacuated theatre-goers covered in dust, many of whom were bleeding. People left the building crying, coughing and helping each other away.

Many theatre-goers were crying and trying to make contact with family members as some were still trapped inside the building. One 29-year-old, who would only give his name as Ben, said: "It was about halfway through the first half of the show and there was a lot of creaking. We thought it was part of the scene, it was a seaside scene, but then there was a lot of crashing noise and part of the roof caved in. There was dust everywhere, everybody's covered in dust. We got out fairly quickly, I think everyone was quite panicked." A 38-year-old said: "We were in the stalls. It's a balcony that's come off. Some of the structure's come down." Police were on the scene within minutes and began cordoning off the theatre. A Metropolitan Police spokesman said there were "multiple casualties". Was just seeing 'The Curious Incident' in the West End when the roof of the Apollo Theatre caved in. Absolutely petrifying. Don't know if... — Jess Bowie (@jessbowie) December 19, 2013 London Fire Brigade confirmed that eight fire engines had been sent to the scene.

Martin Bostock, who was in the audience at the Grade II listed theatre with his family, said he suffered a head injury after he was hit by falling debris. He told Sky News: "I was in the lower stalls with my family in the early stages of the show. It was just terrifying and awful. I think the front part of the balcony fell down. At first we thought it was part of the show. Then I got hit on the head." TOP STORIES TODAY Romanian ambassador and Tory go head-to-head over immigration Bostock confirmed he had a blood injury and needed medical treatment. He went on: "It was complete chaos in the theatre. Absolutely terrifying and awful. We got out with cuts and bruises. I think most people did." Walking wounded were taken from the scene in ambulances as a team of firefighters rushed through the front stage door in Archer Street. Some were taken to the nearby White Horse pub, while others were taken from the scene to be reunited with friends and family members. A Met spokesman said: "London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service are on scene.

We have had reports of multiple casualties but no further detail at present." Emergency services outside the theatre Simon Usborne, a writer for the Independent newspaper, said there was a "cloud" of dust obscuring the stage after parts of masonry appeared to fall away. He said: "There was panic, there was screaming." He added that there did not appear to be any sign of damage from the outside of the theatre. Jess Bowie, content editor of The House magazine, tweeted: "Was just seeing 'The Curious Incident' in the West End when the roof of the Apollo Theatre caved in. Absolutely petrifying. Don't know if anyone is trapped in there but people outside are covered in dust and some in blood. Utterly horrible." Andrew Howard-Smith, 68, said: "I saw the edge of the balcony come down, that's what I saw. We were on the balcony below. In the production you had to hold on to the rail and lean over to see what was going on, and we were doing the same. Everybody must have got hold of the brass rail and just pushed it over, and then the edge came off. That was the only bit that came off, just the edge.

It wasn't the whole of the balcony, just the front 2ft." Libby Grundy, 65, said: "There was a bang, and then a huge cloud of dust. At first I thought it was a special effect. I heard somebody on the stage say 'Oh bloody hell', because they must have seen it. And then people realised it must be some sort of emergency and people started getting up. People didn't panic. People were quite shaky when they got out. "There wasn't any screaming. People were scared, but they weren't screaming. I feel quite shaky now." The London Fire Brigade said the theatre was almost full, with "around 700 people" watching the performance. A spokesman added: "It's thought between 20 and 40 people were injured." Sorry to hear of events at Apollo Theatre. All of our thoughts with those injured and emergency services. — Ed Miliband (@Ed_Miliband) December 19, 2013 Theatre-goer Khalil Anjarwalla said he, his heavily pregnant wife and her parents managed to escape from the theatre safely after "kilos of concrete plummeted from the ceiling".

Business owner Mr Anjarwalla said: "I was in the upper circle with my family when, about 45 minutes in, people started shouting and screaming. We thought it was part of the play. But the ceiling was crumbling. Within an instant the whole roof seemed to come down. "We saw a lot of people completely covered in dust - I could hardly breathe. We had to get out, calmly. I remember thinking the cloud, the dust - it reminded me of those scenes from 9/11 in the aftermath of the building collapsing." Mr Anjarwalla, a businessman from Kenya who was visiting his in-laws with his English wife, Aliya, said: "The actors just seemed to run from the stage. They had obviously seen what had happened. Thankfully we are all OK. My wife is seven months pregnant but she is OK. We feel very blessed." He said some people seemed to be "cut quite badly". A spokesman for London Mayor Boris Johnson said: "He has spoken to the Met Police Commissioner and is liaising with the relevant agencies.

His thoughts and prayers are with those involved in what is clearly a very serious incident." Apollo theatre incident As it happened: Apollo Theatre ceiling collapse - BBC News BBC News Contribute Key points More than 80 people have been injured - seven seriously - after part of the roof at London's Apollo Theatre collapsed. The incident happened during a performance of the play The Curious Incident Of The Dog in the Night-time. Eye-witnesses reported hearing a "cracking" noise before the collapse at about 20:15 GMT. London Ambulance say around 81 people are walking wounded and all those who were trapped had been freed. 'The ceiling just fell in' Email a friend THE ceiling of a packed London theatre has collapsed on the audience during a performance, leaving terrified theatregoers covered in blood and dust and injuring at least 88 people - seven seriously - including children. The incident happened at the Apollo Theatre during the West End show The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, and comes during the week before Christmas when London's theatres are traditionally busy.

photo galleryApollo Theatre ceiling collapses in London A woman stands bandaged and wearing a blanket given by emergency services following an incident at the Apollo Theatre, in London's Shaftesbury Avenue, Picture: AP1 of 17 Police and emergency services personnel assist in operations behind a cordon following a ceiling collapse at the Apollo theatre in Central London. Picture: AFP2 of 17 Police and emergency services personnel assist in operations as people rescued stand wrapped in emergency blankets behind a cordon following a ceiling collapse at the Apollo theatre in Central London. Picture: AFP3 of 17 Emergency services attend the scene at the Apollo Theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue, central London. Picture: AP4 of 17 Firemen confer at the scene following the ceiling collapse at the Apollo Theatre, in London's Shaftesbury Avenue. Picture: AP5 of 17 Early signs .... Audience members heard creaking before the Apollo Theatre ceiling collapse. Picture: AFP6 of 17 Frantic ... Emergency services attend the scene at the Apollo Theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue, central London. Picture: AP7 of 17 An injured woman is moved on a stretcher following an incident at the Apollo Theatre, in London's Shaftesbury Avenue.

Picture: AP8 of 17 A bandaged man comforts a woman following the ceiling collapse at the Apollo Theatre, in London's Shaftesbury Avenue. Picture: AP9 of 17 Twitter user Peter J Holland, "Les Miserables being used as a makeshift hospital for the apollo theatre collapse!!" Picture: PeterjHolland/Twitter10 of 17 Atmosphere at the ceiling collapse of the Apollo Theatre, in London's Shaftesbury Avenue. Picture: ZeitLife/Twitter11 of 17 A man wraps himself in an emergency foil blanket provided by rescue services following the ceiling collapse at the Apollo Theatre, in London's Shaftesbury Avenue. Picture: AP12 of 17 The scene outside the ceiling collapse of the Apollo Theatre, in London's Shaftesbury Avenue. Picture: ZeitLife/Twitter13 of 17 Witnesses gather outside the Apollo Theatre, in London's Shaftesbury Avenue. Picture: JamieCutter_/Twitter14 of 17 Atmosphere at the ceiling collapse of the Apollo Theatre, in London's Shaftesbury Avenue.

Picture: _alexey_moskvin/Twitter15 of 17 Atmosphere at the ceiling collapse of the Apollo Theatre, in London's Shaftesbury Avenue. Picture: ZeitLife/Twitter16 of 17 Twitter user Tom Swarbrick, "Never have I seen so many emergency service vehicles in one place. Road covered in them." Picture: TomsonSwarb/twitter17 of 17 A woman stands bandaged and wearing a blanket given by emergency services following an incident at the Apollo Theatre, in London's Shaftesbury Avenue, Picture: AP Police and emergency services personnel assist in operations behind a cordon following a ceiling collapse at the Apollo theatre in Central London. Picture: AFP Police and emergency services personnel assist in operations as people rescued stand wrapped in emergency blankets behind a cordon following a ceiling collapse at the Apollo theatre in Central London. Picture: AFP Emergency services attend the scene at the Apollo Theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue, central London. Picture: AP Firemen confer at the scene following the ceiling collapse at the Apollo Theatre, in London's Shaftesbury Avenue. Picture: AP Early signs .... Audience members heard creaking before the Apollo Theatre ceiling collapse. Picture: AFP Frantic ...

Emergency services attend the scene at the Apollo Theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue, central London. Picture: AP An injured woman is moved on a stretcher following an incident at the Apollo Theatre, in London's Shaftesbury Avenue. Picture: AP A bandaged man comforts a woman following the ceiling collapse at the Apollo Theatre, in London's Shaftesbury Avenue. Picture: AP Twitter user Peter J Holland, "Les Miserables being used as a makeshift hospital for the apollo theatre collapse!!" Picture: PeterjHolland/Twitter Atmosphere at the ceiling collapse of the Apollo Theatre, in London's Shaftesbury Avenue. Picture: ZeitLife/Twitter A man wraps himself in an emergency foil blanket provided by rescue services following the ceiling collapse at the Apollo Theatre, in London's Shaftesbury Avenue. Picture: AP The scene outside the ceiling collapse of the Apollo Theatre, in London's Shaftesbury Avenue. Picture: ZeitLife/Twitter Witnesses gather outside the Apollo Theatre, in London's Shaftesbury Avenue. Picture: JamieCutter_/Twitter Atmosphere at the ceiling collapse of the Apollo Theatre, in London's Shaftesbury Avenue.

Picture: _alexey_moskvin/Twitter Atmosphere at the ceiling collapse of the Apollo Theatre, in London's Shaftesbury Avenue. Picture: ZeitLife/Twitter Twitter user Tom Swarbrick, "Never have I seen so many emergency service vehicles in one place. Road covered in them." Picture: TomsonSwarb/twitter 1 of 17 HIDE THUMBS The balcony on the theatre's third tier is considered the steepest in London. It seems that no Australians were injured in the roof collapse. Picture I took Dec 7 of the ceiling of #ApolloTheatre supposed to cause the #apollocollapse tonight. HI-res available pic.twitter.com/FPzMLRonlT — Vegard Høgli (@vegardhogli) December 19, 2013 "Consular staff are in contact with UK authorities but have not been advised of any Australians affected at this stage," a spokeswoman for the High Commission in London said in a statement. Witnesses heard creaking noises in the 112-year-old theatre before the collapse but thought it was part of the show, before a section of the ceiling collapsed and brought down parts of the balconies. News_Image_File: Casualties ...

Police and emergency services personnel assist in operations behind a cordon following the ceiling collapse. Picture: AFP One of the actos said "watch out, watch out'' but audience members thought it was part of the play initially, people inside the theatre told the Guardian UK. Rescuers commandeered a red London double decker bus to transport some of the wounded to hospital. Emergency services said that they did not believe there were any fatalities and that all those trapped after the incident had now been freed. Lots of love from @ShakespeareBway to all at our old friends at the #ApolloTheatre - do hope no one is too hurt. What a terrible shock — Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) December 19, 2013 "We have treated 81 walking wounded and seven more seriously injured patients at the Apollo Theatre incident,'' London Ambulance Service said in a statement. There were around 720 people in the audience at the time, the London Fire Brigade said. "A section of the theatre's ceiling collapsed onto the audience who were watching the show. The ceiling took parts of the balconies down with it,'' senior firefighter Nick Harding said.

Incident commander Maria Smith:"When I arrived it was dark & extremely dusty - people were lying on the floor of the theatre" (1of2) #Apollo — London Ambulance (@Ldn_Ambulance) December 19, 2013 "In my time as a fire officer I've never seen an incident like this. I imagine lots of people were out enjoying the show in the run-up to Christmas.'' The London Fire Brigades Union said that an "ornate ceiling of plaster and wooden supports collapsed''. Police said they were investigating the cause of the incident alongside structural engineers from the local council. "There is no suggestion at this stage that this was as a result of a criminal act, however, at this stage we of course are keeping an open mind," said Chief Superintendent Paul Rickett. News_Module: NN-Apollo A fire brigade cherry picker could be seen stretching high over the theatre after the incident. A red London bus took several casualties including a child to hospital afterwards. London hospitals said they were on major incident footing. Police confirmed they were called to the theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue shortly after 8.15pm on Thursday (0715 AEDT Friday). News_Image_File: Early signs ...

Audience members heard creaking before the Apollo Theatre ceiling collapse. Picture: AFP Several people were stretchered away from the scene. Others including some with bandages on their heads were being treated in the lobby of the nearby Queen's Theatre, where the musical Les Miserables was showing, which had been turned into a triage centre. Pictures on social media showed people fleeing the theatre with head injuries and covered in dust. I've been updated regularly on the Apollo incident. I'm grateful for the fast work of the emergency services in helping the injured. — David Cameron (@David_Cameron) December 19, 2013 Audience members said they had heard creaking during the performance. Desmond Thomas, 18, part of a school party watching the show, said they heard noises before the accident. "Maybe 10 minutes into the performance we heard a tap-tap noise, we thought it was rain," he said. "There was a crack and then it suddenly seemed to get bigger and suddenly it collapsed. The next thing we knew the whole theatre filled with dust and smoke." A thunderstorm had hit London in the hour before the incident. News_Image_File: Battered ....

A bandaged man comforts a woman following the ceiling collapse. Picture: AP Witness Anna told Sky News: "We were in balcony and people in front of us started getting up and then we heard a creak and the ceiling went." Libby Grundy said: "There was a bang, and then a huge cloud of dust. At first I thought it was a special effect." Khalil Anjarwalla said he, his heavily pregnant wife and her parents escaped after "kilos of concrete plummeted from the ceiling". More ambulances arriving. Triage set up in Guilgud theatre next door. #Apollo @lbc973 pic.twitter.com/8Thc8DrCZ3 — Anthony Davis (@theanthonydavis) December 19, 2013 Amy Lecoz, who was at the theatre with her two children, aged 16 and 19, said: "The entire dome roof fell down on the audience just in front of us. "We were protected by the balcony above and we ran. People started screaming. Theatre-goer Lucy Atherton: "The ceiling just fell in. So sad about balcony collapse at the Apollo Theatre in London.

Our thoughts are with our namesake across the pond. — Apollo Theater (@ApolloTheater) December 20, 2013 "We thought it was water ... We thought it was a part of the show. I grabbed my kids and ran." Martin Bostock said he suffered a head injury after he was hit by falling debris. "It was complete chaos in the theatre. Absolutely terrifying and awful,'' he told Britain's Sky News. News_Image_File: Urgent action ... Les Miserables being used as a makeshift hospital for the Apollo Theatre collapse. Picture: Peter J Holland/Twitter "I was in the lower stalls with my family in the early stages of the show. "I think the front part of the balcony fell down. At first we thought it was part of the show. "Then I got hit on the head. Injured treated on bus outside Apollo Theatre pic.twitter.com/qMhakQ8tHN — ITV News (@itvnews) December 19, 2013 "We got out with cuts and bruises. I think most people did.'' Simon Usborne, also watching the performance, told Sky News: "A huge crack happened ...

and then my whole view of the stage was obscured by a huge cloud of dust. News_Rich_Media: Witness Martin Bostock was in the Apollo when part of the balcony collapsed. "I think everything in the front row of the stalls and the dress circle would have been showered with debris." Mr Usborne said people are being treated for head injuries. "There are a lot of people with blood on their faces," he added. Metropolitan police says there are a "number of casualties". News_Image_File: Frantic ... Emergency services attend the scene at the Apollo Theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue, central London. Picture: AP London's fire department said eight engines are on the scene in the Soho neighbourhood. The Apollo Theatre is one of the mainstays of London's West End theatre district. It was built in 1901 and refurbished in 1932. The current owner of the Apollo, Nimax Theatres, said the ceiling collapse was a "shocking and upsetting incident". Opened in 1901 it has seen some of the biggest names in stage acting tread its boards, including Laurence Olivier and John Gielgud and more recently Patrick Stewart and Jessica Lange. News_Image_File: Mad rush ....

Emergency teams swing into action at London's Apollo Theatre after the ceiling collapse. Picture: Twitter The theatre holds around 800 people and the balcony on its third tier is considered to be the steepest in London. Recent productions to feature there include Driving Miss Daisy, The Glass Menagerie, Rain Man and Richard III. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time has been running in London since August 2012 and won a record seven Olivier awards. It is based on an award-winning novel by Mark Haddon. - with AFP Ceiling collapse at London theater not criminal, police say - CNN.com Ceiling collapse at London theater not criminal, police say By Laura Smith-Spark. Nic Robertson and Tom Watkins, CNN Updated 3:33 PM ET, Fri December 20, 2013 Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds. Photos: London theater collapse London theater collapse – Emergency service personnel work outside London's Apollo Theatre on Thursday, December 19. Part of the theater's ceiling collapsed during a performance Thursday night, injuring dozens of people, officials said.

Hide Caption 1 of 18 Photos: London theater collapse London theater collapse – Firefighters confer at the scene. Nick Harding, the London Fire Brigade's Kingsland Station manager, said about 720 people were inside the theater when a section of the ceiling collapsed, taking parts of the balconies with it. Hide Caption London theater collapse – Paramedics attend to an injured person at the scene of the collapse. Hide Caption 3 of 18 Photos: London theater collapse London theater collapse – A hydraulic lift is used to investigate the cause of the collapse. "We heard a creak, somebody screamed, somebody from over there said, 'Look out!' and then the ceiling kind of creased in the middle and then just collapsed," one theatergoer said. Hide Caption London theater collapse – An injured woman cries inside an ambulance. Hide Caption London theater collapse – People sit aboard a bus used to hold theatergoers. Hide Caption London theater collapse – An injured woman is taken toward a waiting ambulance. Hide Caption 7 of 18 Photos: London theater collapse London theater collapse – The Apollo Theatre is located next to Piccadilly Circus in the heart of London.

The ceiling collapsed during a packed performance of "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time." Hide Caption 8 of 18 Photos: London theater collapse London theater collapse – A man wraps himself in an emergency foil blanket provided by service workers. One witness said the collapse "was like slow motion." Another said, "You initially thought it was part of the play, and then you could feel things on you." Hide Caption 9 of 18 Photos: London theater collapse London theater collapse – Emergency vehicles line the street near the theater. The Apollo Theatre was built in 1901 and holds 775 seats on four levels, according to its website. Hide Caption London theater collapse – An emergency worker pushes a stretcher along Shaftesbury Avenue. Hide Caption London theater collapse – Injured people sit on a bus used for theatergoers. Hide Caption 12 of 18 Photos: London theater collapse London theater collapse – Metropolitan Police said in a tweet that those who were seriously hurt had been taken to hospitals in central London. Hide Caption London theater collapse – A woman wears bandages and a blanket outside the theater. Hide Caption London theater collapse – Emergency workers park outside the theater.

Hide Caption London theater collapse – Emergency personnel assist theatergoers after the ceiling collapse. Hide Caption 16 of 18 Photos: London theater collapse London theater collapse – Authorities responded to a report of a ceiling collapse at about 8:15 p.m., police said in a tweet. Hide Caption London theater collapse – An injured person is stretchered away. Hide Caption "It was a freak, unusual accident," says president of Society of London Theatre Investigators start to probe what caused the Apollo Theatre's ceiling to come down The collapse injured scores of theatergoers, some of them seriously "It could have been a lot worse," firefighter says of the incident The ceiling collapse that injured dozens of people at a London theater involved "no criminal act," police said Friday in an initial assessment. Police said the investigation into Thursday evening's collapse of the ceiling of London's historic Apollo Theatre, in the heart of the capital's buzzing theater district, will be continued by the Westminster City Council. Investigators combing through the wreckage want to know what caused part of the century-old structure's ornate plaster ceiling to tumble onto the crowd who packed the nearly sold-out show.

Nine people were seriously hurt in the collapse, but there were no fatalities, the London Ambulance Service said Friday. "It could have been a lot worse -- there were about 720 people in the auditorium at the time, and a large area of the ceiling came down," said London Fire Brigade's Kingsland Station Manager Nick Harding. Three injured people were trapped under debris and had to be rescued by firefighters, he said. Some of the "walking wounded" were treated in neighboring theaters, he added. JUST WATCHED MUST WATCH Official: 85 people injured, 4 seriously 01:38 London Ambulance Service said it helped 79 people, 56 of whom were taken to local hospitals. Some had head and back injuries, while others had breathing problems or cuts and scrapes. Images from inside the Apollo, which opened in 1901, showed planks, plaster and other debris strewn across the dusty, red plush seats. The drama unfolded shortly after 8 p.m. Thursday, about 40 minutes into the play, "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time." "One of the actors said, 'Watch out!' " said one woman.

"We thought it was part of the play." It wasn't. Instead, it was part of the plaster ceiling collapsing and dropping down five stories onto the theatergoers below. 'Somebody screamed' "We heard a creak, somebody screamed, somebody from over there said, 'Look out!' and then the ceiling kind of creased in the middle and then just collapsed," said Hannah, who with her husband had snagged one of the last pairs of tickets to the performance in the 775-seat theater. Though she said she felt "slight panic," she credited those around her for keeping calm. "It wasn't every man for himself," she said, noting that several of her fellow theatergoers checked on those around them. "Everyone was looking out for each other, and in a couple of minutes, everyone was out." Martin Bostock, who was with his wife and two children, said he thought the cave-in was part of the show until something very hard hit him on the head and chaos and panic erupted. "You couldn't see across the room because of the dust, which we were all breathing in," he told CNN. "It was absolutely horrific and very terrifying. I was with my wife and two kids.

Thank God, we got out." Another theatergoer, Simon Usborne, said: "My view of the stage was immediately obscured by this dust and debris -- some other people have said it was like an avalanche, and that's probably a better description." No alarm sounded, but it was clear that something serious had happened, he said. "Everybody knew that something was wrong and the fear was then that more might come down, so everybody immediately dashed for an exit -- people were screaming -- I was fortunately close to an exit," he said. Harding, who said the theater had been evacuated in a swift and orderly way, told reporters Friday it was too soon to speculate on the cause of the collapse. Some observers have speculated that heavy rain over London earlier Thursday evening might have played a part. The Apollo is on Shaftesbury Avenue near Piccadilly Circus, in London's Soho district, which is usually packed with tourists, shoppers and diners at theater time. The area around it was cordoned off after the collapse as bloodied and dust-covered theatergoers stumbled onto the street. The local London authority, Westminster City Council, said Friday morning that the Apollo Theatre's roof is now "secure," but what led it to give way was not known.

Historic theaters are required to undergo rigorous roof safety checks every three years, the council said. 'A freak, unusual accident' Many people with tickets for shows over the busy holiday period will want to know that they are not at risk of falling victim to a similar offstage drama. There are nearly 50 major theaters in the West End of London, of which 26 are at least 90 years old. The Society of London Theatre, which represents the theater industry in the capital, sought Friday to reassure those alarmed by the events. "Our theatres entertain over 32,000 people in central London every night and all theatres take the safety of their audience, performers and staff very seriously," it said in a prepared statement. "Every theatre undergoes rigorous safety checks and inspections by independent experts, and incidents like last night are extremely rare." The society's president, Mark Rubinstein, told CNN on Friday there had been no warning of any problem with the Apollo's ceiling. "It was a freak, unusual accident -- we have no idea what caused it," he said.

"Obviously our sympathies are with anyone who was injured or affected by it." Rubinstein said he did not anticipate the incident would affect London's "booming" theater business. "I don't expect it's going to change anything," he said. "All of the other theaters are open tonight. We are expecting business as usual. It's the holiday season, it's a very busy time of year and we expect our theaters to be full." London Mayor Boris Johnson had a similar message. "Whilst this was a serious incident, London's world renowned theatreland is open for business, and thousands of theatregoers will rightly be out and about tonight and over the weekend," he said in a prepared statement. "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time," which was adapted for the stage from the 2003 mystery novel by British writer Mark Haddon, is about a 15-year-old boy's investigation into the death of a neighborhood dog. Haddon tweeted Thursday night of his relief that the situation was no worse. "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," he said.

Performances of the play were canceled through Saturday, the Society of London Theatre said. It was not clear what would happen for future shows. Nimax Theatres, which owns the Apollo, is "working closely with the relevant authorities to establish exactly what happened," the society said. Apollo Theatre collapse in London, England 18 / 36 The Roof Of The London Apollo Theatre Collapses During A Performance LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 19: General view of the the Apollo Theatre after the roof fell collapsed during a show on December 19, 2013 in London, England. A number of people have been seriously injured after part of the roof of the famous West End theatre collapsed during a packed performance of 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time'.

(Photo by Danny Martindale/Getty Images) Reblog Apollo Theatre: Ceiling collapses during show in London - BBC News BBC News Apollo Theatre: Ceiling collapses during show in London 20 December 2013 Close share panel Image copyright CHRIS EDWARDS Image caption Chris Edwards, who was in the theatre with his family, took this picture of the debris that fell on the audience's seats Seventy-six people have been injured, seven seriously, after part of a ceiling in London's Apollo Theatre collapsed during a show, police say. 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 spokesman for the company, Nimax Theatres, said "thoughts are with the audience and staff". 'Swift and effective' 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. "Officers remain at the scene tonight and will do for the coming hours. We thank the public for their support and patience. "We'd ask those who are out and about in the West End area tonight to stay away from the area so we can continue our work." Media captionThe BBC's Tim Muffett was filming a different story with the London Ambulance Service when they were called to help treat the injured 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. In a media briefing, the fire brigade said its officers inspected the theatre's roof via an aerial ladder platform that had been raised above the building. Image copyright AP Image caption Eyewitnesses saw theatregoers leave the Apollo covered in dust and debris Image copyright AP Image caption Emergency services reached the scene within minutes Image copyright AP Image caption Police commandeered three London buses to take the injured to hospital Image copyright PA Image caption Eight fire engines attended the incident along with hundreds of police officers It said it did not believe scaffolding on an adjacent building had anything to do with the incident. Nick Harding from London Fire Brigade said: "A section of the theatre's ceiling collapsed onto the audience who were watching the show. The ceiling took parts of the balconies down with it. In my time as a fire officer I've never seen an incident like this Nick Harding, Kingsland Fire Station manager "Firefighters worked really hard in very difficult conditions...

they rescued people from the theatre, made the area safe and then helped ambulance crews with the injured. "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. Media captionGraham Ellis from London Fire Brigade said other theatres took in the wounded 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. Theatreland 'shocked' By Neil SmithArts reporter, BBC News The events at the Apollo left a star-studded first night audience stunned at another West End theatre sited around a mile away.

No sooner had the cast of Andrew Lloyd Webber's new musical Stephen Ward taken their bows than the news spread like wildfire around the Aldwych Theatre, prompting shock, dismay and disbelief. Musicals star Elaine Paige was among those left "rocked and shocked" by the news. "Clearly there's been a tragedy over there tonight," the actress and broadcaster told the BBC News website. Sir Richard Eyre, a former director of the National Theatre, said it was "a terrible thing to happen in a theatre" and that the news was "frightening and shocking and disturbing". Theatreland shock at Apollo incident In a statement it said: "We have had a fantastic response from staff - both already on-site and those who came in from home - to help." 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." A spokesman for London Mayor Boris Johnson said: "He has spoken to the Met Police Commissioner and is liaising with the relevant agencies.

His thoughts and prayers are with those involved in what is clearly a very serious incident." 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. "I hope that those who were seriously injured are OK. I'm sorry, too, that so many people went through such a terrifying experience." 'Strange crackling noise' Witnesses earlier said they had seen people leaving the building, covered in dust and plaster - with some bleeding and crying. Amy Lecoz, who was at the theatre with her two children, aged 16 and 19, said: "The entire dome roof fell down on the audience just in front of us. We were protected by the balcony above and we ran. People started screaming. "We thought it was water... We thought it was a part of the show. I grabbed my kids and ran." Another witness said she heard a "strange crackling noise" before "the roof just crumpled". The theatre "suddenly went dark" with "dust clouds everywhere", she said. "You could see everyone ran off the stage... it went dark".

Theatre-goer Khalil Anjarwalla said he, his heavily-pregnant wife and her parents managed to escape from the theatre safely after "kilos of concrete plummeted from the ceiling". "We initially thought it was part of the show. Thankfully we are all OK. My wife is seven months pregnant but she is OK." Speaking to the BBC News Channel, Martin Bostock said: "All the actors reacted, we saw all the actors looking up above us and pointing, looking horrified and then things started falling and smoke, and I thought it was part of the show until something hit me on the head very hard.

Apollo Theatre The theatre is owned and operated by Nimax Theatres It has 775 seats over four levels Some 480 of the seats are located on the stalls dress and circle levels The stage measures 9.2m x 8.8m Named after the Greek god of the arts and leader of the muses, because it was designed and built as a venue for musical entertainment The Apollo Theatre first opened its doors in February 1901 "I thought, that's not quite right, and then everything came down around us and to be quite honest I thought we were all going to be in really, really, really serious trouble and it felt horrific." Simon Usborne, from the Independent newspaper, was also in the audience. "Everybody rose instantly and grabbed anything they could and dashed for the door," he said. "I was very close to the exit, fortunately, with my girlfriend and we got out onto the pavement in, I would say, three seconds. And then people out on the pavement were in a state of shock.

"There were children, it's a family-friendly show, of course, who were crying, there were adults and then people started walking out, covered in dust, head-to-toe, many with blood on their heads and faces." Witnesses said police and emergency crews were at the scene within minutes. A 29-year-old audience member, who only gave his name as Ben, said: "It was about half-way through the first half of the show and there was a lot of creaking. Media captionEyewitness Khalil Anjarwalla: "Everyone was screaming" Media captionSimon Usborne describes "a vast, falling curtain of debris" "We thought it was part of the scene, it was a seaside scene, but then there was a lot of crashing noise and part of the roof caved in. "There was dust everywhere, everybody's covered in dust. We got out fairly quickly, I think everyone was quite panicked." Jess Bowie was also in the theatre and said in a tweet that the experience was "absolutely petrifying... people outside are covered in dust and some in blood. Utterly horrible". 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.

Question: The roof of which London theatre collapsed during a performance in December 2013?
Answer: Apollo