At least one person was killed, and dozens were injured when the roof of a concert hall collapsed in bad weather in Belvidere, Illinois, late Friday, officials said.
Five of the 28 people taken to the hospital were seriously injured, said the Belvidere Fire Department.
There were 260 people inside the Apollo Theater when the roof and front awning collapsed, said Sean Shadle, Chief of the Belvidere Fire Department.
The Belvidere Police Department said the collapse occurred as a severe storm hit the area, and a call came in from the theater at 7:48 p.m. He said the initial assessment was that the tornado caused damage.
Governor JB Pritzker said he was monitoring the situation in the city about 80 miles northwest of Chicago.
“I have reached out to officials for updates and directing whatever available resources we can,” he tweeted.
Metal band Morbid Angel was among the evening’s planned entertainment, but it was unclear if anyone had taken the stage prior to the collapse. Representatives for the group did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A monster storm system that knocked down roofs also spawned deadly tornadoes that ripped through Arkansas homes and malls. Most of the Midwest and South were threatened by bad weather Friday.
