'We will remain strong': Cleanup continues after roof collapse at The Dixie Chicken

The roof of a historic College Station bar collapsed Wednesday night during heavy rainfall.

The Dixie Chicken in the Northgate Entertainment District in College Station is a longtime Aggie hangout. College Station firefighters were called to the bar just before 9:00 p.m.

Officials on the scene say the bar was still open with a few customers inside when the roof gave way, but no one was injured.

One of the bar's well-known features is a rattlesnake enclosure. Authorities said the roof collapsed near that enclosure but the snake was not harmed, did not escape, and was safely retrieved and has been relocated.

"We appreciate the outpouring of love and support. Tomorrow [Thursday] we will release a full statement," the bar posted on its Twitter page. "This is a time that we will truly need everyone and we will have more information in the morning. But with the Aggie support, we will remain strong."

There have been several people who have already launched online fundraising campaigns for the bar, but The Dixie Chicken announced on Twitter later in the night that no official GoFundMe page has been established at this time.

Videos first surfaced on social media late Wednesday night showing the roof caving in over the pool tables. Nobody was near that area of the bar when it happened.

The College Station Fire Department responded to the scene and used a ladder truck to extend over the roof to inspect the building. Crews were also working on stabilizing the structure until more inspections could be complete.

Staff members with the Dixie Chicken said they weren't sure if the partial collapse would cause a delay in opening in time for lunch Thursday.

It a Tweet Wednesday night, Texas A&M University said "Thinking of our neighbors at @thedixiechicken tonight. We know this won't be the last time we hear 'Goodnight Irene.'