If you thought your IHOP run was just going to be pancakes and syrup, think again.
On Friday, Sept. 5, a section of the restaurant’s ceiling suddenly collapsed on diners, injuring nine people in what witnesses described as a chaotic and terrifying scene.
According to the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), all nine injured patrons suffered minor injuries. Five were taken to area hospitals for further care, while four declined additional medical attention.
The collapse occurred at the Flatlands neighborhood location, turning what should have been a normal breakfast or lunch into a shocking emergency.
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"The safety and well-being of our guests and employees is our top priority," a spokesperson for Mr. Stax Inc., the operator of the IHOP franchise, told PEOPLE. "We are working to gather more information. The restaurant will remain closed while inspections are underway, and we will take all steps to ensure the location meets our stringent safety standards before reopening."
Footage from local news outlets showed the restaurant’s front door plastered with a vacate order, alongside a handwritten note in the window reading: "No Dine In! Thank you.”
So, what caused this terrifying accident? According to the Department of Buildings, a 10-by-10-inch section of the ceiling gave way, likely due to water damage. Pieces of the ceiling fell directly onto customers dining inside the restaurant, leaving them scrambling to escape.
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CBS News New York also reported that the restaurant’s owner had previously received a violation for allegedly failing to maintain the building properly.
For those who were inside at the time, it was a moment of sheer panic. One witness, Jamie Lee, told News 12 Long Island that he was just sitting down to eat when he heard strange noises from above.
"As I'm sitting down, I start hearing noises," Lee recalled. "And when I turn around, the entire ceiling was collapsing. So I was immediately trying to get out. You know, I come to eat here. And I should have been safe while enjoying my meal. And I wasn't … I could have been potentially hurt worse than what I am now."
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Fortunately, no life-threatening injuries were reported, but the incident is a stark reminder that safety hazards can strike even in the most routine places — like your local pancake spot.
As of now, the Brooklyn IHOP remains closed while inspections and repairs are carried out.
Both the FDNY and the Department of Buildings continue to investigate the cause and ensure that the structure is safe before reopening. Meanwhile, diners are left shaken, and the franchise promises to take all necessary measures to prevent anything like this from happening again.
So next time you’re craving that all-American breakfast at IHOP, remember: pancakes might be the best in town… but your ceiling might not be.
Lara Owen