VANCOUVER (Canada), Jan 6: An inflated roof over the main stadium for the 2010 Winter Olympics collapsed under a blanket of wet snow on Friday, with no reported injuries, the Vancouver fire department said.

The distinct balloon-like roof over British Columbia Place Stadium ripped during a winter storm, said Kirk Lucas, battalion chief with Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services in this western Canadian city.

“Were lucky,” Lucas said. “The only people there were staff, and there were no injuries. They've got a crew on the way to repair it.” Heavy and dangerous lighting and other equipment hung from the roof, he said.

Wet, heavy snow was falling when the aging roof ripped open and slowly began deflating. “It's just a big balloon, it's kept up with air and it just collapsed on itself,” Lucas said.

Built 20 years ago for the Expo 86 world fair, the stadium has seating for 60,000 and is a concert and special-events venue and the home of the professional B.C Lions football team.

Olympic organisers have designated the stadium for the 2010 Olympic medal ceremonies and other events.

After the collapse, the local Olympic organizing committee praised the stadium's managers, adding, “We have every confidence in the ability of their engineers to rectify the situation. ... we look forward to hosting our Ceremonies ... for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

Stadium general manager Howard Crosley told reporters that one panel of the heavy white fabric of the roof ripped off, and a replacement panel would be flown in for repairs in short order.

The age and condition of the stadium roof, one of the world's biggest inflatable domes, has become an issue in recent years.

In June, stadium managers issued a statement saying the roof does not need to be replaced, and there is absolutely no indication that it will not last well into the future. -—AFP