AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after a heating duct collapsed in a clubhouse at Brean Pontins. Emergency services rushed to Pontins Brean Sands Holiday Park at around 6.30pm on Wednesday (February 21) following reports of a ceiling collapse.

Avon and Somerset Police said there had been minor injuries in the incident and the ambulance service confirmed it treated 18 people, with six being taken to hospital.

Now, less than 24 hours after the collapse, Sedgemoor District Council (SDC) said it has launched an investigation into the incident which they say could take several months.

Environmental Health Officers and officers from Somerset Control Partnership have been at the site today and confirmed a heating and air-con duct which had been boxed in and attached to the wall gave way. 

READ MORE: Eighteen people injured after ceiling collapses inside building at Brean Pontins

A spokesman for SDC, said: "Sedgemoor District Council are the enforcement and investigating authority for this premises and have opened a Health and Safety investigation.

"The room measures approximately 50m x 100m and has a bar area/dance floor.  A heating and air-con duct which had been boxed in and attached to the wall gave way.  The ceiling has not collapsed. 

"The investigation is likely to be complex and run for several months.  There will be no further updates at the current time."

Holidaymakers spoke of their shock after the incident, which the fire service said saw 40 metres of structural ducting and ceiling sections collapse, exposing live, damaged electrics.

Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News:

This image shows the 40m section of ceiling after it collapsed at Brean Sands Holiday Park. Picture - Angela McDonald

Lisa Cook, 40, who is staying at the holiday park, said she was hit by some falling debris as the ceiling fell.

She said: "I'd just bought a bingo ticket and had moved into the entertainment area.

"Something fell from the roof and scraped the side of my neck but missed my head - I'm lucky, really.

"My son had to move a table to help me, and he got dust in his eyes."

Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News:

Guests wait outside Brean Pontins after the collapse. Picture - PA

And ex-new Zealand cricketer Iain O'Brien said on Twitter he had returned to the holiday park after a day-out to find "a major panic site".

"Word is, and hopefully it's accurate, no-one seriously hurt," he tweeted.

"Serious amount of emergency services here. Staff very shaken and look like they could do with a hug or two."

The Brean holiday park is currently closed while Environmental Health officers conduct their investigations.

The Weekly News has contacted Pontins for comment.