Paul McCartney concert fireworks damage BC Place ceiling

Pyrotechnics bounced off inside of the $458M retractable roof in Vancouver

CBC News

Posted: Dec 4, 2012 11:24 PM ET

Last Updated: Dec 6, 2012 12:30 AM ET

British rock superstar Paul McCartney's recent performance at BC Place in Vancouver left more of a scorching impression than intended, after fireworks in the finale of his 1970s hit Live and Let Die left burn marks on the building's expensive new lid.

Concert video posted on YouTube shows how during the Nov. 25 concert, several fireworks bounced off the inside of the recently completed $458-million partly retractable roof.

A BC Place spokesperson said the fireworks actually hit an acoustic fiberglass liner that hangs about one to four metres below the retractable roof, leaving scorch marks on at least two panels.

Fireworks bounce off the BC Place roof during music icon Paul McCartney's Nov. 25 concert. (YouTube)

The trajectory of the concert's pyrotechnics is adjustable for different concert venues, but apparently the height of the roof was not calibrated correctly by technicians with the tour of the former Beatle, local reports say.

It is still not clear if the scorch marks can be washed off the panels or if they will need to be replaced, said the spokesperson but the tour's insurance company will be responsible for covering any costs.

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