Horror in Pizza Express as ceiling collapses in UK restaurant full of diners
Diners fled in fear after a 'massive' bang was heard before part of the ceiling came crashing down.
Horrified diners fled a restaurant after a ceiling came crashing down at a Pizza Express in Greater Manchester.
Part of the ceiling reported to have been below a Virgin Active gym on the floor above collapsed as people were eating inside at The Quays, Salford, on Sunday (September 8).
Paramedics, firefighters and police rushed to the eatery with a cordon raised outside the eatery in the Quayside shopping centre.
No one was injured, according to the Manchester Evening News. A diner at the Turtle Bay restaurant next door to the Pizza Express told the same publication they could feel the floor shake and smelt "smoke" before everyone ran.
Diner, Francesca Osler, posted a video showing a partially collapsed ceiling. She said: "After about five minutes the fire alarm went off and staff were shouting to everybody to get out. We were so scared.
"We just grabbed our children to get out. My sister-in-law was trying to get her baby out of the high chair. We were stood in the rain for a while."
A member of staff from Pizza Express, whose name has not been published by the Manchester Evening News, described hearing a "massive" bang before children started screaming.
She said: "There is a gym above it and people drop weights. There was this massive bang and then it started coming down...
"It was the scariest thing I've been through... The emergency services were here straightaway. It was really frightening."
Local Lib Dem councillor, Paul Heilbron, praised the emergency service response, adding: "Hopefully, the businesses affected will fix the damage very soon."
Don't miss...
Labour 'clearly planned to betray pensioners' before election, Tory MP warns [COMMENT]
Migrant explains what actually happens on small boats from France to UK [INSIGHT]
Zinedine Zidane training ground visit, nine-word Man Utd verdict, Bayern snub [LATEST]
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service confirmed in a statement last night that fire crews were called to reports of a collapsed ceiling at a restaurant in Salford Quays just after 3.45pm.
They added: "Three fire engines from Salford and Broughton quickly attended the incident. Crews are working to make the area safe and remain in attendance."
Greater Manchester Police confirmed it sent officers to reports of a collapsed ceiling.
A Pizza Express spokesperson said: "There was an incident yesterday afternoon at the building which hosts our Salford Quays pizzeria.
"The health and safety of our customers and team members is of the utmost importance. We are working with the relevant authorities to investigate."
A Virgin Active spokesperson said: "On Sunday, there was a partial ceiling collapse at Pizza Express, which is below Virgin Active Salford Quays.
"No-one was injured, however we have temporarily closed parts of the club for safety reasons and a full investigation is being undertaken by the landlord, Peel Management."
Paul Dennett, Mayor of Salford City, said work was being done to secure the building in response to the collapse, adding his thoughts were with anyone affected.
Quayside at Media City has been approached for comment.
