Pub customers have been evacuated after the ceiling of a Wetherspoons collapsed with a "big bang", witnesses said.
The popular pub chain has confirmed part of its structure caved in just before 9pm on Monday and two women were taken to hospital to be assessed.
The Waterhouse, in Princess Street, Manchester, was evacuated after the debris suddenly fell from the ceiling.
Police, fire crews and paramedics were called to the scene and a cordon was put in place, reports Manchester Evening News.
The pub has been ordered to remain shut as a structural engineer assesses the damage.
A spokesperson for Wetherspoons has now confirmed that plaster fell onto six customers who were inside the pub at the time. All six were assessed by paramedics.
Ross Austin, who was eating at the pub at the time of the incident, said he heard a "big bang" and a "crash from the roof".
“I was in the other room at the time and everyone looked shocked and I think no one was hurt but we all told to go outside," he added.
“The staff looked shocked as we didn't expect that to happen. I left after that.”
In a statement, a spokesman for Wetherspoons said: “We can confirm that a section of the ceiling at The Waterhouse (Manchester), above tables 32-34, came down and plaster work fell onto six customers.
“All customers were assessed by paramedics, with two taken to hospital.
“The pub was evacuated by police and fire service and the area was made safe for staff to be allowed back into the building.
“The pub remains closed to customers, on the orders of the fire brigade, who have requested a visit from a structural engineer to assess the condition of the rest of the ceiling.”
