1 dead, 28 injured after roof collapses during concert at theater in Illinois
ByJessica Goodman, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Roof collapse: One person was killed and 28 were injured after a roof collapsed during concert at a theater in Illinois (Belvidere Police Department/Belvidere Police Department)
ByJessica Goodman, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
BELVIDERE, Ill. — At least one person has died and at least 28 others are injured after a storm caused a roof to collapse in Belvidere, Illinois.
A collapse at Apollo Theater happened nearly 30 minutes into a metal concert with at least 260 people inside, WBBM reported. The theater can hold at least 1,500 people.
The roof collapse initially was reported as a mass-casualty collapse, according to the news outlet.
The theater’s marquee and facade crashed onto State Street, according to WLS-TV. Approximately 260 people were inside the theater at the time for a metal music concert including Morbid Angel, Revocation, and Skeletal Remains. The show was scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
The storm hit the area just before 8 p.m. with winds at 50 mph, according to WLS-TV’s meteorologist.
Morbid Angel, one of the bands performing at the Apollo Theater before the roof collapse said on Facebook that the show was canceled Friday evening after the roof collapsed near the front of the stage.
“We ask anyone who is still traveling to the venue to please seek shelter and stay safe. We are currently sheltering in place, and want to extend our support and hope that everyone at the show tonight is safe. Right now our focus is on making sure everyone in the venue tonight is OK and gets home,” Morbid Angel said.
Belvidere Fire Chief Shawn Schadle told WLS-TV that first responders were at the theater within two minutes because the fire station was across the street. Schadle also said the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System Rescue Team did a search of the theater and was working to stabilize it.
Shadle told WBBM that five people had severe injuries, 18 people had moderate injuries, and five others had minor injuries.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker tweeted that his administration is closely monitoring the roof collapse.
0 of 15
Tornado causes damage in Arkansas LITTLE ROCK, AR - MARCH 31: A rainbow shines amidst the remains of a neighborhood damaged by a tornado on March 31, 2023 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Tornados damaged hundreds of homes and buildings Friday afternoon across a large part of Central Arkansas. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared a state of emergency after the catastrophic storms that hit on Friday afternoon. According to local reports, the storms killed at least three people. (Photo by Benjamin Krain/Getty Images) (Benjamin Krain/Getty Images)
Tornado causes damage in Arkansas LITTLE ROCK, AR - MARCH 31: A home damaged by a tornado is seen on March 31, 2023 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Tornados damaged hundreds of homes and buildings Friday afternoon across a large part of Central Arkansas. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared a state of emergency after the catastrophic storms that hit on Friday afternoon. According to local reports, the storms killed at least three people. (Photo by Benjamin Krain/Getty Images) (Benjamin Krain/Getty Images)
Tornado causes damage in Arkansas LITTLE ROCK, AR - MARCH 31: The remains of the Calais Apartment complex damaged by a tornado is seen on March 31, 2023 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Tornados damaged hundreds of homes and buildings Friday afternoon across a large part of Central Arkansas. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared a state of emergency after the catastrophic storms that hit on Friday afternoon. According to local reports, the storms killed at least three people. (Photo by Benjamin Krain/Getty Images) (Benjamin Krain/Getty Images)
Tornado causes damage in Arkansas LITTLE ROCK, AR - MARCH 31: The damaged remains of the Walnut Ridge neighborhood is seen on March 31, 2023 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Tornados damaged hundreds of homes and buildings Friday afternoon across a large part of Central Arkansas. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared a state of emergency after the catastrophic storms that hit on Friday afternoon. According to local reports, the storms killed at least three people. (Photo by Benjamin Krain/Getty Images) (Benjamin Krain/Getty Images)
Tornado causes damage in Arkansas LITTLE ROCK, AR - MARCH 31: The remains of the Calais Apartment complex damaged by a tornado is seen on March 31, 2023 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Tornados damaged hundreds of homes and buildings Friday afternoon across a large part of Central Arkansas. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared a state of emergency after the catastrophic storms that hit on Friday afternoon. According to local reports, the storms killed at least three people. (Photo by Benjamin Krain/Getty Images) (Benjamin Krain/Getty Images)
Tornado causes damage in Arkansas LITTLE ROCK, AR - MARCH 31: The damaged remains of the Walnut Ridge neighborhood is seen on March 31, 2023 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Tornados damaged hundreds of homes and buildings Friday afternoon across a large part of Central Arkansas. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared a state of emergency after the catastrophic storms that hit on Friday afternoon. According to local reports, the storms killed at least three people. (Photo by Benjamin Krain/Getty Images) (Benjamin Krain/Getty Images)
Tornado causes damage in Arkansas LITTLE ROCK, AR - MARCH 31: Homes and buildings damaged by a tornado are seen on March 31, 2023 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Tornados damaged hundreds of homes and buildings Friday afternoon across a large part of Central Arkansas. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared a state of emergency after the catastrophic storms that hit on Friday afternoon. According to local reports, the storms killed at least three people. (Photo by Benjamin Krain/Getty Images) (Benjamin Krain/Getty Images)
Tornado causes damage in Arkansas LITTLE ROCK, AR - MARCH 31: Homes and buildings damaged by a tornado are seen on March 31, 2023 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Tornados damaged hundreds of homes and buildings Friday afternoon across a large part of Central Arkansas. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared a state of emergency after the catastrophic storms that hit on Friday afternoon. According to local reports, the storms killed at least three people. (Photo by Benjamin Krain/Getty Images) (Benjamin Krain/Getty Images)
Tornado causes damage in Arkansas LITTLE ROCK, AR - MARCH 31: Homes damaged by a tornado are seen on March 31, 2023 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Tornados damaged hundreds of homes and buildings Friday afternoon across a large part of Central Arkansas. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared a state of emergency after the catastrophic storms that hit on Friday afternoon. According to local reports, the storms killed at least three people. (Photo by Benjamin Krain/Getty Images) (Benjamin Krain/Getty Images)
Tornado causes damage in Arkansas LITTLE ROCK, AR - MARCH 31: The damaged remains of the Walnut Ridge neighborhood is seen on March 31, 2023 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Tornados damaged hundreds of homes and buildings Friday afternoon across a large part of Central Arkansas. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared a state of emergency after the catastrophic storms that hit on Friday afternoon. According to local reports, the storms killed at least three people. (Photo by Benjamin Krain/Getty Images) (Benjamin Krain/Getty Images)
Tornado causes damage in Arkansas LITTLE ROCK, AR - MARCH 31: The damaged remains of the Walnut Ridge neighborhood is seen on March 31, 2023 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Tornados damaged hundreds of homes and buildings Friday afternoon across a large part of Central Arkansas. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared a state of emergency after the catastrophic storms that hit on Friday afternoon. According to local reports, the storms killed at least three people. (Photo by Benjamin Krain/Getty Images) (Benjamin Krain/Getty Images)
Tornado causes damage in Arkansas LITTLE ROCK, AR - MARCH 31: Homes damaged by a tornado are seen on March 31, 2023 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Tornados damaged hundreds of homes and buildings Friday afternoon across a large part of Central Arkansas. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared a state of emergency after the catastrophic storms that hit on Friday afternoon. According to local reports, the storms killed at least three people. (Photo by Benjamin Krain/Getty Images) (Benjamin Krain/Getty Images)
Tornado causes damage in Arkansas LITTLE ROCK, AR - MARCH 31: The damaged remains of the Walnut Ridge neighborhood is seen on March 31, 2023 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Tornados damaged hundreds of homes and buildings Friday afternoon across a large part of Central Arkansas. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared a state of emergency after the catastrophic storms that hit on Friday afternoon. According to local reports, the storms killed at least three people. (Photo by Benjamin Krain/Getty Images) (Benjamin Krain/Getty Images)
