DINERS DASH
Children scream & families run in horror as ‘ceiling collapses’ in Pizza Express before ambulances rush to restaurant
It is unclear whether anybody has been injured at the scene
FAMILIES fled in horror after a ceiling "collapsed" while they were eating inside a Pizza Express restaurant.
Paramedics, police, and fire crews rushed to the scene near the Quayside shopping centre at Salford Quays.
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A diner in Turtle Bay, a restaurant next door to the Pizza Express, told of the moment they ran out of the restaurant after feeling the floor "shake".
She said her family could "smell smoke" and that everyone began to run.
Francesca Osler, who was out with her brother and sister-in-law, along with their son, also shared a video showing the ceiling partially collapsed after landing in the restaurant next door.
She said: "I was next door at Turtle Bay when the incident with the ceiling happened at Pizza Express.
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"We felt the floor shake and I could smell some smoke.
"After about five minutes the fire alarm went off and the 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."
Meanwhile, a member of staff who was working in Pizza Express at the time, told M.E.N that there was a "massive bang" before little children began "screaming".
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She said that herself and another staff member ran out "holding hands".
“My heart is still going now. There is a gym above it and people drop weights," the staff member added.
"There was this massive bang and then it started coming down. People just got up and ran out, there were little kids screaming.
“It was the scariest thing I’ve been through.
"People were going out the front and through the main centre.
"I think one person was hurt but not badly. The emergency services were here straight away. It was really frightening."
A local resident who lives nearby said he saw the emergency response about ten minutes after the ceiling collapsed.
He said Pizza Express is "a mess inside" and shared pictures of the collapsed ceiling, which appeared to land beside a table of diners.
"I live above," he said.
"I walked outside and it had happened ten minutes earlier.
"Pizza Express is a mess inside and hopefully, it’s just minor injuries.
"Most of the ambulances have now left. We are told they are awaiting the building inspector."
Pizza Express has been approached for comment.
If reports are correct, it is great to hear no one is seriously hurt
Paul Heilbron, Liberal Democrat councillor for the Quays
Emergency services had been seen lining The Quays, beside the Lowry Theatre.
Pictures from the scene show several ambulances and police vehicles in attendance.
The Greater Fire and Rescue Service is leading the response to the incident.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: "At around 3.45pm today, officers were called to reports of a ceiling collapsing at a business on Salford Quays.
"Officers are in attendance along with other emergency service colleagues as they carry out their work.”
A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “At just after 3.45pm today (Sunday 8 September), fire crews were called to reports of a collapsed ceiling at a restaurant on Salford Quays.
“Three fire engines from Salford and Broughton quickly attended the incident.
"Crews are working to make the area safe and remain in attendance."
The Lowry has released a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, acknowledging the incident and hoping everyone involved is "safe and well".
The post reads: "We are aware of an incident at Salford Quays this afternoon attended by the emergency services - The Lowry hopes everyone involved is safe and well.
"Tonight's performance of Myra Dubois is due to go ahead as scheduled. We will share any further updates via Social Media."
NO INJURIES REPORTED
Paul Heilbron, Liberal Democrat councillor for the Quays, told M.E.N: "If reports are correct, it is great to hear no one is seriously hurt.
I take my hat off to the speed and professionalism of the emergency services that responded to the situation.
"Hopefully the businesses affected will fix the damage very soon."
The Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed that no injuries were reported today, according to M.E.N.
Fire service officers are working with the council to make the area safe.
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The majority of emergency service vehicles have now left the scene.
Pictures taken through the venue's window showed the collapsed section of the ceiling next to a table full of half-empty plates and glasses.
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