According to authorities, a roof collapse at a Belvidere venue on Friday night during a metal performance resulted in one fatality and close to 30 injuries.

A portion of the theatre collapsed when a storm swept through Belvidere while concertgoers were watching a performance by Morbid Angel. According to authorities, a roof collapse at a Belvidere venue on Friday night during a metal performance resulted in one fatality and close to 30 injuries.

At a news conference held late on Friday, Belvidere Police Chief Shane Woody stated that officers had been dispatched to the Apollo Theatre, located at 104 North State Street, where the collapse had happened, leaving one person dead and at least 28 others injured.

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The distance between the metropolis and Chicago is roughly 70 miles. When we arrived, we started a search and rescue operation for customers inside the Apollo; our only goal was to get people outside, according to Woody.

During the press conference, Woody stated that once the emergency teams were outside, they attempted to secure the area and escorted people out of the building as best they could.

"Chaos. Absolute mayhem," said Woody. "When first rescuers arrived, they made every effort to keep the commotion under control. After that, we tried to enter the building and rescue as many persons as possible before bringing them to safety.

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According to a staff member, the Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford handled 12 patients, none of whom had passed away. Three hospitals received the casualties, according to the staff member. Clint Morris, the mayor of Belvidere, was at the scene of the Apollo Theatre when it occurred, according to his wife, who spoke to the Tribune late on Friday.

The mayor's wife, who wished to remain anonymous, said, "He's worried about the residents." She claimed that the location was formerly a cinema theatre. As people inside the venue hurriedly lifted debris from the area before the stage to free trapped concertgoers, lightning lit up the sky, visible through a partially collapsed roof.

Different footage showed many police and fire trucks outside the Apollo. A sizeable overhanging sign that had fallen blocked the venue's entry, and the streets were covered in debris. 

In addition, the National Weather Service reported that a tornado alert had been in effect for the town east of Rockford in northeastern Illinois until 8:30 p.m. The town was among a vast area where radar showed a tornado had formed, according to the NWS.

According to the venue's website, Morbid Angel, Revocation, and Skeletal Remains were scheduled to perform there on Friday. According to a Facebook post on the band Morbid Angel's website, the performance was postponed due to "a tornado that hit the Venue."

"Please find shelter and take precautions to remain safe if you're still making your way to the event. "We are currently taking cover, and we want to offer our support and hope that everyone at tonight's show is safe," the band wrote.

Our priority is to make sure everyone is present at the location tonight and leaves safely. As the crisis grew, local officials voiced their worries.

"Praying for those engaged in the incident at the Apollo Theatre and the Belvidere neighborhood. State Representative Maurice West of Rockford said, "Please join me. Belvidere-based state representative Dave Vella from Rockford warned about the crashes' potential long-term effects.

They may be people who are injured and in poor health. This may be difficult for our neighborhood. Please pray for them, and prepare to assist those in need alongside me. If we don't look out for our friends, we are nothing. God bless you all and success," he wrote on Facebook.