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Investigation launched into Apollo Theatre roof collapse (23 December 2013)

Date: 23/12/2013
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, Investigation launched into Apollo Theatre roof collapse

An investigation has been officially launched into the collapse of the Apollo Theatre’s roof during a packed West End show on Thursday evening (19/12/13).

The London Fire Brigade has said it is lucky more people were not injured in the roof collapse, given the amount of heavy debris such as plaster and wooden beams strewn across the auditorium.

There has been speculation as to the cause of the roof collapse, including the theatre being struck by lightning, which would be classed as an Act of God by insurers.

However, some sources say the theatre – which dates from 1901 – was in need of maintenance and had even been neglected in recent years.

The management of the Apollo Theatre say that their safety certificate was recently renewed with problem, however.

The London Fire Brigade used a crane to inspect the exterior roof after the building had been cleared and made safe on Thursday night.

A total of 79 people were injured in the incident, including nine people taken to hospital with serious injuries. London Ambulance Services says that 56 people were treated in four hospitals across London – and of these, 47 had minor injuries.

The Apollo Theatre was once owned by Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber before the building was bought by Nimax.

The Society of West End Theatres (SWET) – the membership body for London’s theatres – issued a statement:

“The exact cause of the incident is still being investigated and the theatre owners Nimax are working closely with the relevant authorities to establish exactly what happened.

"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.”

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