Belvidere city officials said at a news conference Saturday morning a 50-year-old man died and about 40 people were injured in a roof collapse Friday night at a metal concert.
The Belvidere Fire Department along with several surrounding first responders flooded the scene of the Apollo Theatre following a call of a collapse.
“A man lost his life, response was in minutes,” mayor Clinton Morris said. ” We always hope for the best and the best would’ve been no fatalities.”
Mayor Morris said the tragedy could have been worse, but thanked all of the first responders who arrived at the scene to help. He said many of the concert goers stayed and picked up debris trapping the injured until help arrived.
Officials said the building dates back to 1921 and was historical in Belvidere. So far, officials said the building is condemned, but were waiting on structural engineers to make the final determination. Officials said the owner of the building was devastated to learn of the deceased man and the injured.
It was not clear Saturday if the concert goers heard the tornado sirens because of the loud music.
Twenty-eights ambulances responded to the scene, and the other injured people got themselves to the hospital.Some of the ambulances made multiple trips, officials said.
Another building across from the Apollo Theatre also sustained structural damage and was facing being condemned.
