Old cloth ties blamed for theater ceiling collapse
Source: Omaha World Herald-AP
LONDON (AP) — Weakened, century-old cloth and plaster ties caused a partial ceiling collapse that injured almost 80 audience members at London's Apollo Theatre, investigators said Monday.
Westminster Council said the "principal cause" of the collapse was the deterioration of the hessian and plaster of Paris ties, used to bind the timber frames supporting the suspended ceiling. They had been in place since the Apollo Theatre opened in 1901.
Seven people were seriously hurt and scores more slightly injured when chunks of plaster and wood fell from the theater ceiling during a performance of "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time" on Dec. 19.
The venue is due to reopen Wednesday, with a new show, "Let the Right One In" — and a protective deck installed under the ceiling.
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