76 Injured in London's Apollo Theatre Ceiling Collapse [PHOTOS]

Almost 80 people were injured last night when part of Central London’s historic Apollo Theatre's ceiling collapsed onto the audience during a West End show.

76 people were hurt during the performance of the “The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night” at the Apollo theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue.

Police were called just after 8.15pm last night after a section of the theatre's ceiling fell onto the audience around 45 minutes into the play.

Masonry and ornate plaster from the Grade II listed theatre plummeted on to the stalls below, dragging a section of the balcony with it, striking members of the packed audience and filling the theatre with clouds of thick dust.

There were an estimated 720 people watching the show at the time.

Kingsland fire station manager Nick Harding said the section of the ceiling which collapsed into the audience took parts of the balconies with it as it came crashing down.

"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. My thoughts go out to all those affected," he said.

London Ambulance Service said it treated 76 patients, of whom 58 were taken to four hospitals.

Of those, 51 had suffered minor injuries and seven more serious injuries. There were no fatalities.