Police say the roof of the Metro Cinema in Piper Street at Bathurst caved in at 12.45pm (AEDT) on Monday.
They were unable to immediately say whether anyone was trapped or injured in the incident.
But ABC 24 television says 16 people have been trapped.
Two rescue helicopters have arrived at the scene, with one landing at a nearby school, and more emergency services on the way.
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Editor: Bambang
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
