A section of ceiling at the Longhorn Steakhouse near the Maine Mall in South Portland collapsed into the dining room on Friday evening, but serious injuries were averted in a situation that the city’s fire chief said “could have been much worse.”
South Portland firefighters learned of the collapse at 6:40 p.m. at the restaurant, which is located at 300 Maine Mall Road and shares a parking lot with the mall.
Employees reported seeing ceiling tiles start to fall and quickly moved patrons away from the area just before the collapse, the city of Portland said in a news release. Additionally, bystanders helped some patrons from the debris.
One person was evaluated by emergency medical services but declined going to the hospital, according to the city.
South Portland Fire Chief Phil Selberg estimated that nearly 150 people were in the restaurant at the time. “We are fortunate that no one was seriously injured,” he said.
Inspectors from the city of South Portland Code Enforcement Office are currently evaluating the building.
