THE O2 could be closed for months as gigs at the venue are postponed after Storm Eunice ripped its domed roof to shreds.
The tempest has wrought devastation around the country today with record 122mph winds.
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Around 1,000 people were evacuated from the arena in London as firefighters rushed to reports the roof had partially collapsed.
Employees now say the venue, which houses dozens of bars and restaurants, a shopping centre and a massive live music venue, could be closed for months while repairs are made.
One told the Mirror the roof over the shops “was whipped off” with a “huge whooshing sound”.
Another said they understood at least part of the building will be shut for weeks to come.
Fugees: The Score 25th Anniversary Tour was due to take place at the O2 tonight. The gig has been cancelled altogether.
The venue’s website is still offering tickets for performances tomorrow and next week. British star Dave is due to host two performances on Monday and Tuesday.
No word is available yet on what fans who have bought tickets should do.
It comes as:
Fire station commander Chris Kamara said: “Firefighters cordoned off the area to ensure no one was injured by any further falling debris.
“There has been no actual collapse or structural damage to the building, but due to the nature of the canvas material which covers The O2, it has come loose in high winds and looks quite dramatic.
“Crews have made the scene safe and The O2 is now closed until further notice.”
Video footage showed the arena’s roof sheeting flapping in the wind with at least six panels reportedly ripped off.
Witness Mala Sharma said “more and more parts are getting ripped off” as the capital is lashed by the storm’s wild winds.
“It’s going to be a safety issue for people around,” she said, adding that the damage “started off with a patch” before a “chunk” of the covering tore away.
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A spokesperson from the attraction said: “Due to today’s adverse weather conditions, we can confirm that there has been some damage caused to the tent fabric in our roof at The O2.
“The affected areas have been cleared and The O2 will remain closed for the rest of the day.
“The safety of our visitors remains of paramount importance, and we will continue to assess the ongoing situation and act accordingly.”
The severe weather conditions sparked two rare red weather warnings, meaning there’s a ‘danger to life’.
Roads are shut around the country after trees toppled into carriageways, while airports have cancelled hundreds of flights and train services have been halted.
Both red warnings, which were in force over southern England, have now lapsed, meaning the strongest gusts have likely ended.
KILLER STORM
It was the first time London had ever been covered by such an alert.
In Croydon, astonishing footage shows pedestrians being knocked off their feet.
The worst-hit region – the Isle of Wight – this morning recorded wind gusts of 122mph.
Gusts there were even stronger than during the Great Storm of 1987 when 18 people were killed.
Meanwhile, a major incident has been declared in Suffolk, while 55,000 homes, farms and businesses suffered blackouts in Ireland this morning and another 85,000 houses were left in the dark across England and Wales.
And tragedy struck in Co Wexford when a man in his 60s was killed by a tree as he cleared debris.
An amber warning remains in place until 9pm, while yellow warnings for snow and ice in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the north of England will lapse later this evening.
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More yellow warnings for ice, wind and rain have been issued across the weekend and into Monday.
Homes in the south will face a battering yet again tomorrow.
Wind speeds are expected to get up to 60mph through the Bristol Channel and along the south coast of England, and around 50mph inland.
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Pedestrians blown over in London as Storm Eunice gale force winds hit
