Three people were injured after the ceiling collapsed at the legendary Minneapolis nightclub First Avenue on Wednesday night.

Officials say part of the ceiling suddenly collapsed around 10 p.m. local time just as the Canadian metal band Theory of a Deadman was in the middle of a performance, The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

"A large portion of the ceiling fell and took out water pipes with it," said Nate Kranz, First Avenue general manager. "We have no idea why or how it happened. We won't know anything about this until tomorrow. It was a terrible surprise."

The Minneapolis Fire Department confirmed that a 30-foot-by-30-foot section gave way during the concert, sending three people to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Kranz said that the part that collapsed was over the balcony DJ booth, located at the back of the dance floor. The show was stopped, and the approximately 750 people inside the venue were immediately evacuated. Fire crews responded by shutting off water flow to pipes in the ceiling area, the Fire Department said.

Todd Johnson, who attended the concert, said he was with his family when he saw the musicians run off stage. Johnson said he also saw part of the ceiling that had and water leaking from the ceiling. Moments later, a second piece of ceiling fell.

Witness Ben Strumberger told NBC News that he was standing in front of the soundboard when the ground started shaking.

"The band quit playing and everyone turned around," he said. "There was a ceiling piece laying on the floor."

Another witness, Michaela Libersky, said she was just feet away from a falling segment. "It was so scary," she told NBC News. "I'm just so glad that no one in our group got hurt."

First Avenue has been a fixture in the Minneapolis music scene since it opened in 1970. Prince filmed his classic 1984 movie "Purple Rain" at the landmark nightclub, while music legends like Tina Turner and U2 have also performed there."