At least five people went to the hospital Sunday night when nine rows of wooden bleachers collapsed during the final summer show of Circus Juventas in St. Paul.
About 450 spectators were applauding the show's grand finale on the bleachers when they collapsed, said St. Paul police spokesman Sgt. Paul Schnell. None of the injuries were considered serious, he said.
Circus Juventas, at 1270 Montreal Av. in the Highland Park neighborhood, is a performing arts youth circus school for children and young adults 3 to 21. Sunday night's performance, which began at 7 p.m., was sold out, according to the school's website.
Attempts to contact school officials late Sunday night were unsuccessful.
Schnell said that inspectors will examine the bleachers today to determine why they collapsed. He said he didn't know when they were built, but they were constructed of wood attached to a metal frame.
