Even after 14 months investigators are still unsure what caused the ceiling to collapse in a bingo club which luckily saw more than 140 people safely evacuated. Bingo players and staff are hoping that the freak accident won’t happen again as the club reopened last week for the first time since the accident.

Last Thursday the Pavilion Bingo Club opened for the first time since the incident in May 2010. At the time 102 bingo customers, 8 members of staff and 34 people from the cinema next door were evacuated after a newly installed ceiling fell to the floor.

The Scottish Borders Council immediately launched an investigation in the Market Street venue in Galashiels which is owned by Border Bingo Clubs although they confirmed last week that they still have yet to find an answer to the freak accident.

“Due to the complexity of the investigation, SBC’s health and safety investigation into the collapse of the Pavilion bingo hall’s ceiling is still under way,” the spokesperson told the local media.

“Both landlord and tenant have given their full co-operation with the investigation.

“The council continues to collaborate with specialists from the Health and Safety Executive in order to establish why the ceiling collapsed.”

Local bingo players Kurt Ramage and his wife Dot that were at the club at the time added: “It was miraculous no-one was hurt and quite fortunate that it was a Thursday night rather than Friday when it is a lot busier.

“I heard a crack and thought it had come from the bar area. I then looked up and saw the crack in the ceiling above my head.

“There were two tiles hanging down. We then heard more and more cracks and the ceiling began to sag. The manageress then stopped the game and we were all told to leave.

“My wife’s elderly mother was at the front of the hall so we had to make sure she could get out.”

The customers that were involved in the accident were invited to a Golden Ticket opening night of the refurbished bingo.

Mr Ramage, who attended with his wife and mother-in-law commented: “The new club looks tremendous.

“We all got a free glass of wine and a free game of bingo.

“Myself and Dot very seldom went to the Hawick bingo club on the free bus, so it is great to have The Pavilion club back. The incident has not put us off.”

Christine Grahame MSP attended the opening night, swapped her time at the Scottish Parliament for a short session of calling numbers.

She added: “It was lovely to meet so many local people enjoying their bingo with friends and I am delighted to have helped to open this impressive new club for them.

“It is also good to know that this means 16 valuable jobs for the Borders too.”

Luckily no one was injured in the accident; however three fire engines, three ambulances and two police vans attended the incident.

A statement from Border Bingo Clubs read: “We would like to thank each and every one of our members for their continuing patience and loyal support throughout the last year and are proud to reward all with a fabulous new state-of-the-art club. The Pavilion looks amazing and promises to be bigger, better and more glamourous than ever before.”