Apollo Theatre Collapse Injures Dozens

Dozens of people have been injured, some seriously, after part of the ceiling at London's Apollo Theatre collapsed during a performance.

Fire crews and 25 ambulances are at the scene and some casualties have been removed on stretchers.

London Fire Brigade said people had initially been trapped after "heavy rafters and ornate plaster fell from the roof".

Eyewitnesses said theatre-goers left the building crying and coughing, and that some were bleeding.

Stretchers carried out some of the more seriously injured

Seventy-six people were treated after the ceiling collapse, according to the London Ambulance Service.

Seven were taken to hospital with serious injuries, and another 51 were "low priority" cases.

Assistant director Kevin Brown said all the casualties were conscious and breathing and there were no life-threatening injuries.

Chief Superintendent Paul Rickett, of the Metropolitan Police, said there was "no suggestion at this stage that (the collapse) was as a result of a criminal act".

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time was playing to more than 700 people when the ceiling came down - around 30 to 40 minutes into the performance.

More than 80 were described as "walking wounded"

Eyewitnesses said they heard loud creaking prior to the collapse, which left the auditorium engulfed by thick dust.

Martin Bostock, who was in the theatre, told Sky News: "I was in the 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, it was very dramatic.

"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.

Some people were initially trapped by debris but all have now been freed

"I think everything in the front row of the stalls and the dress circle would have been showered with debris."

Mr Usborne said people were being treated for head injuries.

"There are a lot of people with blood on their faces," he added.

"The Curious Incident of the Dog In The Night-Time is pretty popular with families and they have left in tears, they are pretty distraught."

Another witness, William Rolt, said: "Everyone who was in there wanted to get out as quickly as possible but you couldn't see anything it was pitch black in there.

"It was complete pandemonium."

The ceiling collapse reportedly took place as a reference was made to waves crashing on Brighton rocks, with some in the audience believing the noise was part of the show.

Forty walking wounded were taken to the nearby Gielgud Theatre for treatment and London buses also took some people to hospital.

Emergency services arrived within minutes, according to one witness

Hannah - who was sitting in the balcony - told Sky News that the incident happened without much warning.

She said: "The first few rows started getting up very quickly and the ceiling just came down".

Dee Kearney told Sky News: "We were two to three rows from the stage ... and then the actor turned round and said 'Watch out!'

"We immediately thought it was part of the play - then what we felt was a loud bang and debris falling on us."

Prime Minister David Cameron paid tribute to rescue crews, writing on Twitter: "I've been updated regularly on the Apollo incident. I'm grateful for the fast work of the emergency services in helping the injured."

Sky News' Darren McCaffrey said people had been asked to leave nearby restaurants and theatres.

Structural engineers and fire crews are expected to spend most of the night assessing the safety of the Apollo.

The theatre - a Grade II listed building - was completed in 1901 and seats 755 people.

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".

An investigation into the cause was under way, he added.

A district surveyor from Westminster City Council is expected to carry out a structural assessment of the building during overnight.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

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