On a typical Wednesday night, at least 400 people crowd into Seton Bingo Hall on Outer Loop for games that raise money for the American Cancer Society.

But when several hundred square feet of roof collapsed last night, the building was empty, because owners had been concerned about the collection of snow on top of the structure, said Judy Troutman, one of the bingo hall's managers.

No one was injured.

Toward the end of the Monday-night bingo session, the number caller noticed a section of the ceiling sagging, and the crowd left the hall quickly, Troutman said.

Games scheduled for Tuesday and last night then were canceled, she said.

An inspection team sent by the building's owners on Tuesday said the roof was sound and bingo could go on as normal, Troutman said.

But at about 7 last night, more than half of the hall's roof came crashing down.

"Everyone would have been killed," said Highview Fire Chief Rick Larkins. "The roof is on the floor."

Thousands of pounds of utility pipes, air-conditioning units, rafters, roofing tiles and debris came down along with the roof.

As he surveyed the damage, Larkins said it was fortunate that bingo had been canceled or the loss would have been much worse than structural.

Larkins said he expects a city inspector to condemn the building, which will be boarded up.

The building's owner could not be verified last night.

The hall is leased by St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, which uses staff to run the concessions. The church then leases it to other charities who operate regular bingo games, Troutman said.

Games generally were held seven nights a week — along with some games during the day — for a total of 15 each week, Troutman said.

With the hall out of commission indefinitely, charities that run the games will be hurt, said the Rev. Tom Hommrich, pastor at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.

He estimates that his parish alone earns about $80,000 a year from bingo. "We'll get back to it as soon as we can," he said.

Snow and ice caused the roof to cave in at the Skate-O-Rama in Bullitt County on Saturday.