Section of ceiling collapses in Montreal's Grande Bibliothque

A section of the ceiling on the ground floor of Montreal's Grand Bibliothque collapsed just after noon Wednesday, just moments after employees had been safely evacuated.

A crackhad appeared in the ceiling a few minutes prior to itscollapse, said the library's communications director,GeneviveRossier.

"Fortunately, no one was present under the structure because we were able to move everyone out," Rossier said.

Rossierexplained that the part of the ceiling that caved in had just recently been constructed, above the renovated library's newspaper and magazine section.

Building engineersare now doing a thorough inspection of the building, Rossier said.

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"The section which collapsed was not part of the original construction," said Quebec Culture Minister Luc Fortin, who will visit the site Thursday to assess the damage.

The Grande Bibliothque remains open to the public, except for the newspaper and magazine section.